KUALA LUMPUR (May 26): Battersea Power Station in London has opened the doors to its first-ever residents. Homeowners were handed the keys to their new homes in the Grade II* listed building, following the completion of Switch House West, the first major element of the Power Station to complete.

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

“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,” said Battersea Project Holding Company chairman Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin in a press release today.

The occasion was held on Monday (May 24) with a special public performance by members of the London Symphony Orchestra, alongside Battersea Power Station’s own community choir.

Battersea Power Station Development Company chairman Datuk Wong Tuck Wai said strong progress continues to be made across the entire project and the group is delighted to see the Malaysian Vision for this thriving new London neighbourhood now becoming a reality.

Meanwhile, half a million sq ft of office space in the building will 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 from next year.

The Northern Line Extension is on track to open from this autumn, with a new Zone One London Underground Station at Battersea Power Station significantly enhancing the connectivity of this part of London.

Much progress is also being made to Electric Boulevard, the third phase of the project, which comprises buildings to the south of the Power Station by Gehry Partners and Battersea Roof Gardens.

The Power Station is at the heart of one of central London’s largest, most visionary and eagerly anticipated new developments, involving the transformation of a 42-acre former industrial brownfield site into a new town centre for London, comprising new homes, shops, cafes, restaurants, offices, event spaces and over 19 acres of public space including a six-acre park.

“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,” said Battersea Power Station Development Company CEO Simon Murphy.

Once open to the public, 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 360 degree views of the capital’s skyline.

Circus West Village, the first chapter in the regeneration of Battersea Power Station, is home to over 1,500 residents and over 20 bars, restaurants, cafés and fitness and leisure offerings. The thriving riverside neighbourhood welcomes over three million people on average each year, thanks to its annual events programme.

With the Northern Line being extended to give this new neighbourhood its very own Zone 1 London Underground station this year, Battersea Power Station is expected to draw Londoners, international visitors and workers from across the capital, with journey times to the West End and the City taking approximately 15 minutes. It will be one of the go-to places for South West London, boosting the local economy and creating over 17,000 jobs.