A partnership has been formed between Gehry Partners and Foster + Partners, two of the most well-recognised architecture firms in the world, as the pair come together to design Phase 3 of the Battersea Power Station redevelopment scheme in London.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the initial phase was held in July 2013 and details have just been announced for the third phase by Gehry Partners and Foster + Partners. This latest phase includes the creation of a High Street with two key residential zones totalling 1,200 units, split into two sections either side a central channel.
Gehry Partners will be responsible for the residential buildings to the east of the High Street while the residential buildings to the west will be designed by Foster + Partners. These units will be supported by a 200-room hotel, 350,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space, leisure amenities, and a 15,000 sq ft library.
Speaking on the announcement, Frank Gehry commented: “Our goal is to help create a neighborhood and a place for people to live that respects the iconic Battersea Power Station while connecting it into the broader fabric of the city. We hope to create a design that is uniquely London, that respects and celebrates the historical vernacular of the city.” The new development will be Frank Gehry’s first building scheme in London.
The wider project will involve the restoration of the Grade II* listed Battersea Power Station, opening it up to the public once more. Spanning 400m of the River Thames, the mixed-use masterplan for the redevelopment scheme has been drawn up by Rafael Vinoly, incorporating 3,400 residential units alongside offices, retail facilities, restaurants, hotels, leisure amenities and 18 acres of open space.
For Foster + Partners the project has personal ties as Grant Brooker, Design Director at the firm, explains: “We moved our own office to Wandsworth almost twenty five years ago - the Borough is very important to us, so we were absolutely delighted to be chosen to be part of this inspiring regeneration project for the Battersea Power Station redevelopment. It has a vision which will transform this area and create a vibrant new district for South London that we can all be proud of.”