LONDON: After being decommissioned for decades, the Battersea Power Station has finally been restored and converted into a destination not only for Londoners but also visitors from afar eager to explore this iconic Grade II* listed landmark with its collection of more than 100 shops, food and beverage and other leisure outlets.

Located south of the Thames, it is proudly owned by a Malaysian consortium comprising Sime Darby Property Bhd and S P Setia Bhd, each holding a 40 per cent stake, with the remaining 20 per cent held by the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF). The commercial assets within the power station building are now directly owned by Permodalan Nasional Bhd and EPF.

British-based Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC) is managing the development.

The GBP9 billion (GBP1=RM5.14) Battersea Power Station will be launched on Oct 12 and will be officially opened to the public on Oct 14.

"To mark this historic moment, a five-day 'Festival of Power' will run from Oct 14 with free family-friendly activities and performances celebrating the building's unique heritage and its contributions to British culture," BPSDC said recently.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah are scheduled to officiate at its opening.

During his special visit to the United Kingdom (UK) last year, His Majesty expressed pride in the capability and success of Malaysian-owned companies and government agencies running businesses and investments in the UK.

Malaysian media get first-hand experience

To kick-off the five-day festival, the Malaysian media will be among the first to tour the building by architects Wilkinson Eyre, one of the world's leading architectural firms with a portfolio of bold, beautiful and intelligent award-winning projects.

The itinerary includes a Battersea Power Station commercial and retail tour, KOA residential tour and a Lift 109 experience -- a unique glass elevator inside the north-west chimney which offers an epic panoramic view of London from a height of 109m from ground level.

Next, they will be joining Londoners to celebrate the historic moment in the 'Festival of Power' starting Friday, Oct 14 with a programme packed with live performances, family-friendly activities and other events.

Festival of Power

Headlining the festival is Arcadia's Lords of Lightning, a dueling spectacle involving multimillion volt bolts being fired between the two 'Lords' hosted on the six-acre Power Station Park at 7pm, Oct 14, Sime Darby Property said in a statement recently.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy various forms of entertainment which include walkabout performers, acrobats and brand activations.

Other highlights include the official countdown to the Power Station opening its doors from 10 am. This will take place in Malaysia Square to the south of the Grade II listed building, the statement said.

There will be live music throughout the Festival of Power including special performances by the Battersea Power Station Community Choir after the official countdown, 'Emerge Showcase' from World Heart-Beat Music Academy and the Setia Drummers, a troupe of Malaysian drummers.

The Battersea Power Station project covers 17 hectares (42 acres) with 3.5 million sq ft of mixed commercial space and 4,239 new housing.

The successful regeneration of Battersea Power Station has created 20,000 jobs, generating long-term career opportunities for local residents. A new NHS medical facility is also being built.

-- BERNAMA