The Battle For Battersea Power Station Now Over
Just some hours ago momentous news came out concerning the Battersea Power Station. The long struggle between Roman Abramovich and the Malaysian construction consortium was finally decided in favor of the latter. As a Battersea resident and a big football fan I have to admit I am bit disappointed.
Of course the power station is possibly the last prime piece of property of such scale in the center of London that is set for redevelopment. Chelsea football team had long ago presented its plans for building a new stadium, following the example of archrivals Arsenal. And with the financial background of its owner, money would not be a problem. Then out of the blue came another competitor, a Malaysian entrepreneur and swept the competition aside. The SP Setia consortium is expected to build new homes and office buildings at the place of the iconic power station. No matter how hard you try to find any detailed information about the construction plans though, your search will be in vain.
I came to think of it- do we really need another set of office buildings and posh house estates? I haven’t heard of a shortage of homes in London, on the contrary. And in the current economic crisis, do the developers really believe they will be able to sale the office space at the market price?
The football stadium plan on the other hand has pledged to incorporate the unique look of the power station chimneys, thus building one of the most iconic sports facilities not only in England but worldwide. Well, all the concerns are irrelevant now, since the contract is signed. Still I think a public conversation for the future of the site was in place, the power station being one of the most iconic sites in London.
I will be very happy if I am wrong, but a certain premonition exists that Battersea will to a great extent lose its unique look, when the redevelopment is over. Only time will tell if I am right.
Of course the power station is possibly the last prime piece of property of such scale in the center of London that is set for redevelopment. Chelsea football team had long ago presented its plans for building a new stadium, following the example of archrivals Arsenal. And with the financial background of its owner, money would not be a problem. Then out of the blue came another competitor, a Malaysian entrepreneur and swept the competition aside. The SP Setia consortium is expected to build new homes and office buildings at the place of the iconic power station. No matter how hard you try to find any detailed information about the construction plans though, your search will be in vain.
I came to think of it- do we really need another set of office buildings and posh house estates? I haven’t heard of a shortage of homes in London, on the contrary. And in the current economic crisis, do the developers really believe they will be able to sale the office space at the market price?
The football stadium plan on the other hand has pledged to incorporate the unique look of the power station chimneys, thus building one of the most iconic sports facilities not only in England but worldwide. Well, all the concerns are irrelevant now, since the contract is signed. Still I think a public conversation for the future of the site was in place, the power station being one of the most iconic sites in London.
I will be very happy if I am wrong, but a certain premonition exists that Battersea will to a great extent lose its unique look, when the redevelopment is over. Only time will tell if I am right.