The completion of Battersea Roof Gardens and 50 Electric Boulevard marks a significant milestone in the third phase of the wider regeneration masterplan surrounding the iconic Battersea Power Station. Designed by Foster + Partners, the two buildings redefine contemporary mixed-use architecture in London, integrating residential living, hospitality, workspace, retail, and landscape into a cohesive and sustainable urban destination.

Positioned along the western edge of Electric Boulevard, a dynamic split-level high street connecting the new Zone 1 underground station to the historic power station, the development is shaped by a gently undulating architectural language that maximizes views and enhances pedestrian experience.

Urban Integration and High Street Activation

Electric Boulevard is more than a commercial spine; it is a carefully choreographed urban promenade. The street subtly recedes and expands at upper levels, forming natural gathering spaces and panoramic viewpoints toward the power station’s iconic chimneys.

The fluid architectural forms of both buildings mirror the movement of the boulevard, creating:

• Enhanced visual corridors
• Human-scaled public spaces
• Retail and dining terraces
• Seamless connectivity between transport, commerce, and residential life

This approach positions the project as a benchmark in urban regeneration architecture, reinforcing London’s shift toward pedestrian-focused mixed-use districts.

Flexible Office Architecture in a Prime London Location

Located on the southern edge of the neighbourhood, 50 Electric Boulevard delivers approximately 200,000 square feet of Grade A office workspace, designed with adaptability and sustainability at its core.

Its undulating form generates flexible floorplates that can evolve with tenant requirements, a key principle in future-proof commercial architecture.

The Light Box Pavilion

Between the two buildings sits a dramatic double-height pavilion known as the Light Box, which functions as:

• A collaborative event space
• A coffee bar hub
• A bleacher-style seating forum
• A naturally lit indoor garden

Illuminated by generous roof lights and enriched with lush planting, the pavilion enhances biophilic design principles and strengthens social connectivity within the workplace environment.

Sustainability and Wellness: BREEAM Outstanding & WELL Platinum

50 Electric Boulevard achieves:

• BREEAM Outstanding
• WELL Platinum certification

Key sustainability features include:

• Natural ventilation systems
• Floor-to-ceiling glazing for daylight optimization
• Cantilevered balconies for shading and outdoor access
• Extensive internal greenery
• Roof terrace for exercise and corporate events

The integration of a new underground entrance beneath the building, opening in Spring 2025, further enhances sustainable mobility and public transport connectivity.

Architectural Significance and Regenerative Impact

This development exemplifies sustainable mixed-use architecture, combining:

• High-density residential design
• Hospitality integration
• Flexible commercial workspace
• Biodiverse rooftop landscapes
• Public realm activation
• Transport-oriented development

By merging environmental performance with experiential urban design, Foster + Partners have created a model for next-generation city districts: where living, working, and leisure coexist in ecological balance.

Project Credits

• Architect: Foster + Partners
• Mechanical Engineer: Chapman BDSP
• Structural Engineers: Robert Bird Group
• Landscape Consultant: LDA Design
• Lighting Engineers: Spiers and Major
• Acoustic Consultants: RBA Acoustics, Sandy Brown Acoustics

All photographs are works of  Nigel Young / Foster + Partners