First residents have moved into their new homes at the Grade II* listed Power Station.

The former coal-fired power station, which lay dormant and derelict for decades after it was decommissioned in the 1980’s, opened the doors to its first ever residents this week.

Homeowners were handed the keys to their new homes in the Grade II* listed building following completion of Switch House West, the first major element of the Power Station to complete.

The rest of the building will be completing in stages throughout 2021, with residents moving into the Boiler House and Switch House East in the coming months.

The occasion was marked with a special public performance on Monday 24 May by members of the London Symphony Orchestra, who played at the foot of the Power Station, alongside Battersea Power Station’s own Community Choir, as visitors and residents enjoyed al fresco dining at the restaurants and bars along the riverfront. A video and special ‘welcome home’ message to residents was also projected on to the front of the Power Station and new public artwork has been displayed across the riverfront as part of a host of activities celebrating the milestone.

Half a million square feet of office space in the building is also set to be handed over to Apple this summer to commence the fit out of its new London Campus. Retail and F&B brands will begin fitting out their units later in the year ahead of the Power Station opening to the public in 2022.

Dato’ Ahmad Pardas Senin, Chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company, commented: “As custodians of this globally significant building, it is with great pleasure that we welcome residents into the Power Station for the first time in history. This is a proud day for Malaysia and the consortium of shareholders who transformed this historic building into a sustainable city living address while restoring the landmark and giving it a new lease of life.”

Datuk Wong Tuck Wai, Chairman of Battersea Power Station Development Company, added: “Strong progress continues to be made across the entire project, and we are delighted to see the Malaysian Vision for this thriving new London neighbourhood now becoming a reality. Congratulations to the team who have worked relentlessly to see this through, especially during this challenging COVID-19 pandemic period.”

Simon Murphy, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, commented: “Thanks to all of the shareholders and their unwavering commitment, together with all those involved in the restoration of this landmark building, we can confidently say that the Everest of Real Estate, which the Power Station was once famously nicknamed, has finally been scaled.

“Our Power Station residents join an already thriving community of people living, working and enjoying this new riverside destination. Following this latest significant milestone, we now look forward to completing the remaining elements of the Power Station ahead of opening to the public next year.”

Upon completion Battersea Power Station will house over 100 shops, bars and restaurants, as well as unique events and leisure spaces, including the Chimney Lift Experience, which will be operated by global events and entertainment leader, IMG. The glass elevator will transport visitors 109m up inside one of the Power Station’s iconic chimneys before they emerge at the top to enjoy unrivalled 360o views of the capital’s skyline.

Visit batterseapowerstation.co.uk for more information.