The painting of all four Chimneys of Battersea Power Station is now complete, earlier than expected.

Battersea Power Station is one of central London’s largest and most anticipated new projects, turning the 42-acre landmark into a new development that includes 3.5m sq ft of mixed commercial accommodation together with 4,364 new homes, as well as a six-acre public park, town square and a new tube station (scheduled to be within Zone 1).

Battersea Power Station is owned by a consortium of Malaysian investors comprising Sime Darby, S P Setia and the Employees’ Provident Fund. Management of the development is being undertaken by British based Battersea Power Station Development Company. The chimneys have been one of the key priorities for the Malaysian shareholders of the Battersea Power Station project, given their historical and cultural significance.

All four of Battersea Power Station’s chimneys had to be painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt, following completion of detailed surveys, very close consultation and engagement with Historic England and the London Borough of Wandsworth, both of which have been fully supportive throughout the process of restoring the chimneys to their former glory. Now, all four chimneys have received a base coat and final coat of paint in the exact colour the originals were painted in to ensure they are visually identical.

Rob Tincknell, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, comments: “It is wonderful to see the chimneys, which have become a permanent fixture on the London skyline, freshly painted and the finishing touches applied. This is a great opportunity to thank the BPS team, the specialist contractor and everyone else who was involved in ensuring one of the most important parts of the redevelopment project was successfully completed.”

Cllr Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, adds: “An exciting new skyline is developing at Battersea but it is fantastic to see our old friends, the Power Station chimneys, restored to their former glory: a proud landmark for Wandsworth and for London. Rebuilding the chimneys as exact replicas was a key condition of the overall planning application so it’s great the pledge has already come good, ahead of schedule.”

Iconic chimney brought back to Battersea Power Station

26th June 2015

The first of Battersea Power Station’s four iconic chimneys has been brought back to London’s skyline.

The Battersea Power Station chimneys have formed part of the cityscape since 1935 when the first chimney was completed, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Even from their early days these imposing chimneys embedded themselves into London’s history. In 1940, RAF pilots use the plumes of the white vapour to guide them home during the Second World War and the Luftwaffe would also use the plumes for navigation which explains why the Power Station avoided extensive bombing in this period.

Now, the site, which is currently under redevelopment, is being transformed into a new residential and commercial hub for the city.

This first unveiling of the South West chimney marks a key step in the full rebuild programme, which will be completed in the summer of 2016. The whole process has been undertaken by a group of specialist contractors including construction managers Skanska, expert heritage building consultants Beroa Bierrum and Buro Happold Engineering, who have been working using the same methods to the original chimney build from back in the 1930s to ensure the new chimneys are rebuilt to be visually identical to the originals.

Timothy Jones, Principal Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas, Historic England, said “Historic England considers the works being carried out to the chimneys to be the most tangible sign that the long awaited restoration of this internationally celebrated Grade II building is no longer a promise but a fact.”

Rob Tincknell, Chief Executive Officer at BPSDC, adds: “This is one of the most exciting milestones in the Battersea Power Station development’s history to date. The chimneys are at the very heart of this site and the rebuild programme has been focused on working with Historic England and LBW to ensure they would be rebuilt and remain a part of London’s skyline in a safe condition for generations to enjoy for years to come.”

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