London Buildings West End Battersea Power StationBattersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station is a now unused coal-fired power station located on the south bank of the 
River Thames, near Battersea in London. The station is actually two individual power stations, built in two stages in the form of a single building. Battersea A Power Station was built first in the 1930s, with Battersea B Power Station next to it, in the 1950s. The two stations were built to an identical design, providing the well known, four chimney layout. The station ceased generating electricity in 1983, but over the past 50 years it has become one of the best known landmarks in London and is Grade II* listed.
The station's celebrity is partly attributable to numerous cultural appearances, which include a shot in The Beatles' 1965 movie Help! being used in the cover art of Pink Floyd's 1977 album Animals and appearing as a high-tech residence in the film 'Children of Men'.
Since closure the site has remained largely unused, with numerous failed redevelopment plans from successive site owners. The site is currently owned by Irish company Real Estate Opportunities, who purchased it for £400 million in November 2006. The station is the largest brick building in Europe and is notable for its original, lavish Art Deco interior fittings and decor.
However, the building's condition has been described as "very bad" by English Heritage, who include the power station on its Buildings at Risk Register. In 2004 the power station was on the World Monuments Fund's List of 100 Most Endangered Sites.
Photo-history of Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station - still used for the odd event like X-Fighters
Battersea Power Station, 188 Kirtling Street, London SW8 5BP
