EMERGING FROM YEARS OF HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED REDEVELOPMENT, THIS SOUTH LONDON SPOT IS FAST BECOMING THE CAPITAL’S BUZZIEST NEIGHBOURHOOD, WITH SHOPPING, DINING AND EXPERIENCES GALORE
Battersea is the area of London on everyone’s lips right now. With the long-awaited opening of the shopping destination within Battersea Power Station’s giant industrial body, the £9bn regeneration project has truly come to life.
BATTERSEA: FIRST IMPRESSIONS
It’s a remarkable development: the capital’s brightest new neighbourhood, unlike any other. “As a local resident and for the last 15 years, I’ve seen first-hand both the physical of Battersea Power Station and the Nine Elms area, as well as the change of the public perception towards it,” says William Pasquali, associate director at Hamptons.
“It offers the unusual mix of a Zone 1 tube station, (15 minutes to central London and the City), a unique shopping and dining destination, the open spaces of Battersea Park and future employment opportunities from the likes of Apple, which has chosen the power station for its new UK headquarters.”
He has noticed a significant amount of buyers coming over from north of the river. “Young professionals, as well as families looking to secure a home and put down roots.”
Mayow Short, head of Savills Battersea office and Waterfront Sales is equally excited.
“The power station is home to number of luxury and high street names, such as Mulberry, Aesop, and a flagship Zara store, as well as restaurants and a state-of-the-art Dolby cinema, which is set to open soon.
Florists, theatres, gyms and games halls also occupy the space, drawing in varying generations, but largely a younger crowd. The sense of community here is palpable, with locals and visitors coming together at weekends to soak up culinary delights, or just to admire this iconic London landmark.”
A DAY IN BATTERSEA
9AM
Spinning start
Get into the festive fun at Boom Cycle on Arches Lane. With curated soundtracks, Boom Cycle has instructors that suit all music tastes. Or for a calmer start to the day, walk to Battersea Park and make your way to its Peace Pagoda for some much-needed morning calm. The pagoda has unrivalled panoramic views of Chelsea Embankment.
10 AM
Breakfast
Walk to The Farmer’s Mistress, on Battersea Park Road. On the menu until midday are sweet treats, such as toasted mocha banana bread and breakfast apple crumble. The more savoury inclined can find squash hash and smashing avo, among other dishes.
11.30 AM
Wreath shopping
Whether you’re keen to make your own Christmas wreath or are in search of a small succulent for windowsill greenery, the nearby Battersea Flower Station will provide.
1:30 PM
Lunch break
Sample Augustine Kitchen on Battersea Bridge Road for honest French fare. The set menu includes onion soup, tartare and crème brûlée.
3PM
Stocking fillers
For last-minute gifts for friends who are hard to buy for – think Aesop and MAC Cosmetics for beauty enthusiasts and Boss and Calvin Klein for fashion plates – head to the new Battersea Power Station. In 2023, look our for even more shops. LIFT 109 brings a new London viewing experience, that is open now.
5PM
Winter gliding
Lace up your ice skates and take a spin at Glide Battersea Power Station, until 8 January. Round off the night in style with oysters at The Wright Brothers.
BATTERSEA: ASK A LOCAL
Jennifer McCabe, General Manager at art’otel London Battersea power station powered by Radisson Hotels, says “Sendero Specialty Coffee on my way to work has become habitual – as has appreciating the many iconic buildings along Lavender Hill. The Battersea Arts Centre, The Battersea Library and Arding & Hobbs are all great buildings when you take a minute to look up.
Battersea Square is one of my favourite gems in the area – very well known amongst locals and definitely a place to visit for a variety of restaurants and bars. There’s a great balance of suburban living and hustle within Battersea.
Evenings at the Battersea Power Station are lively, but I also love the option of being able to switch to a slower environment, enjoying evening walks across Albert Bridge, taking in the sights of the river.” www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/artotel-london-battersea-powerstation
BATTERSEA: FOOD AND DRINK
4 Arches Lane
Softly-lit cosiness welcomes diners to Cinnamon Kitchen. Among the extensive menus is the nine-dish feast, perfect for sharing this festive season and beyond. Specialising in modern Indian cuisine using British seasonal ingredients, Cinnamon Kitchen creates dishes with care that leave a lasting impression.
2 Battersea Rise
The dog-friendly wine bar hosts 400 wines from around the world. Whether you want a main or nibbles, there is the perfect wine to match. Humble Grape hosts events and tastings. The next Meet the Maker dinner is on 23 November, with upcoming tastings on 6 and 7 December.
Battersea Power Station Circus
Perched along the riverside, Fiume serves delicious Italian food. Celebrate seasonal offerings with the autumn menu, which ends on 30 November, featuring fettucine ai frutti di mare and salsiccia e tartufo nero. The Christmas menu ends on the 31 December.
29 Ransomes Dock
A neighbourhood favourite, Nutbourne is
a farm-to-fork restaurant. Ingredients are sustainably sourced from West Sussex. On the menu are dishes such as king oyster mushroom risotto with saffron, and a range of grills, served with a choice of red wine jus or béarnaise sauce.
Circus Road
Inside Battersea Power Station, Clean Kitchen Company serves 100-per-cent plant-based meals. Its philosophy is making food fun, interesting and tasty. With dishes such as truffle clean burger, vegan loaded fries and no-duck wrap, there are all kinds to try.
1 Ponton Road
The latest Alchemist in London promises a theatrically-served menu that make guests feel like they’re watching a magic show. A London show not to be missed, the menu is a wonderland of nibbles, lighter plates, brunches and more.
BATTERSEA SCHOOLS
Battersea’s reputation for excellent schools has made it a firm favourite with families. It was given the royal seal of approval when Prince George and Princess Charlotte were enrolled as George and Charlotte Cambridge at Thomas’s Battersea. It’s a charming prep school on Battersea High Street where the most important rule is “Be Kind”.
Over on Battersea Park Road, Newton Prep, is a vibrant school with excellent academic results. Leavers go on to top schools, including Eton, Dulwich College and James Alleyn’s Girls School.
Eaton House The Manor offers girls and boys education from nursery to ages 11 and 13 respectively from its 1.5-acre site opposite Clapham Common. While Parkgate House School on Clapham Common Northside prides itself on its nurturing environment for prep-school children.
Finally, for the many Anglo-French families in the area, L’Ecole de Battersea on Trott Road offers a bilingual nursery and prep education.
BATTERSEA: ON THE MARKET
ASK AN AGENT: ALEX CARR, JLL PRIME CENTRAL LONDON DEVELOPMENT TEAM DIRECTOR
“JLL has been privileged to have been involved with the Battersea Power Station development project since the very beginning. Over the last ten years that the development has been continuously maturing, so have prices.
Prices in SW11 have increased by 65 per cent, meanwhile in the last year, JLL data shows a 10 per cent annual increase in applicants (in 2022 year-to- date), compared with the same period in 2021.
Over the next five years, JLL is forecasting prices in the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea area to outperform both Greater London and the UK, expecting price growth of 27 per cent, which we’re confident can be heavily attributed to the success and execution of the Battersea Power Station regeneration project redefining the area.” jll.co.uk
19 CANFORD ROAD
In the popular Northcote area of Battersea, and mere moments from Clapham Common, this immaculate five-bedroom family home offers period features, a large kitchen-dining area and landscaped garden. £1.875m. Agent: hamptons.co.uk
SCOTT HOUSE
Three-bedroom apartment in phase one of the Power Station developments on Circus Road 2,111 sq ft of space and 360-degree views West. Access to pool, gym and sauna. £4.25m. Agent: chestertons.co.uk
THE BOILER HOUSE
This three-bedroom duplex Sky Villa offers 2,111 sq ft of space and 360-degree views from the top of the power station. £8.5m. Agents: knightfrank.com; savills.com
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