Battersea Power Station/Shopping Centre

We can see Battersea's four giant smoke stacks from our flat...it's not a quarter mile away, over and up the river a bit. The power station was built in the 1930s and is considered one of the world's largest brick structures. It must certainly be the world' largest art deco brick structure. Both RAF and German pilots used the plumes of its smoke stacks for navigation in the fog, and consequently it was never bombed. (The German air ministry in Berlin was never bombed because Goering was widely regarded by the Allies as an idiot and to be kept in power). At its height, Battersea powered a fifth of London, including much of the central city. As its power-generating days came to a close, in the 70s or 80s, it was given Grade II status, which connotes architectural or historical significance. It was designed by the same architect who did the red telephone booths. "No job too big nor too small." Something one has to see, especially considering it is now one of London's newest shopping/residential areas, and, more importantly, the location of the nearest Marks and Spencers. There's a Battersea Park, too, quite large, but we haven't been there yet. The similarly large Bankside power station, just down the river a mile or so, is now the Tate Modern Museum. Wasted space, in our opinion.

Battersea from our side of the river; surrounded by shopping areas,
high-rise condos, etc.

Approaching from the Chelsea Bridge

Note unmistakable art deco features

Inside one of the giant turbine halls...the Apple store is
on the lowest level, left; the Ray Ban store further down 
on the right; the boulangerie on the ground level, right;
etc.

Just like the galleria in your town, except for the unmistakable art
deco features....