Images of London’s first Art’otel have been unveiled ahead of its opening at Battersea Power Station later this year. Designed by Foster + Partners in collaboration with hotel architects Dexter Moren Associates, the 164-bedroom property features interiors by Jaime Hayon and is located within Battersea Roof Gardens – joining homes, offices and a new pedestrianised street sat within Electric Boulevard to the south of the station.
Amongst the property’s facilities are a new destination skyline restaurant and bar, rooftop swimming pool and wellness area, together with event spaces, a Grand Café and Art Gallery. Progress on the development’s construction is nearing completion, with the guestrooms, bar and restaurant currently being fitted out.
Hayon’s designs are inspired by the Power Station’s history and heritage as well as its future at the centre of a new cultural district and neighbourhood for London. As such, the guestrooms showcase a bold and colourful palette while art plays a key role in the wider design concept thanks to Hayon’s previous work, which is showcased at galleries and exhibitions such as London’s Design Museum, High Museum in Atlanta, Daelim Museum in Korea, Groninger Museum in the Netherlands and Design Museum Holon in Israel.
“I was very excited at the opportunity to develop the interior design for Art’otel London Battersea Power Station, which is set to become a new hub for art and creativity,” says Hayon. “The leading role of art throughout the property makes this a unique prospect to explore the interaction between art, product and interior design and I look forward to creating something truly special in this iconic central London location.”
Simon Murphy, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), comments: “2022 is an incredibly exciting year for Battersea Power Station as we prepare to open the Grade II* listed Power Station and Electric Boulevard to the public from September. The Art’otel plays an integral role in the vibrant new riverside neighbourhood we’re creating. Once open later this year, it will be a unique place to stay and dine with Jaime’s interiors and its rooftop swimming pool overlooking the Power Station’s famous chimneys.”
Boris Ivesha, President & Chief Executive Officer, PPHE Hotel Group, adds: “Jaime’s diverse expertise made him an obvious choice when selecting a designer for this exciting new hospitality and arts venue, which sits at the heart of a new cultural quarter for London. He is an exciting, internationally acclaimed artist whose designs sit outside of the typical hospitality mould, reflecting the distinctive energy of the Art’otel brand. His vision will perfectly complement the architecture, making it a centre of design excellence.”
With the restoration nearing completion, residents are now living inside the Grade II* listed building and new retailers, including Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban, Lacoste and Calvin Klein, have announced they will be opening their doors from September. Once complete, Battersea Power Station will house over 100 shops, bars and restaurants, a luxury boutique cinema as well as unique events and leisure spaces, including the chimney lift experience. The glass elevator will transport visitors 109m up inside one of the Power Station’s chimneys before they emerge at the top to enjoy 360 degree views of the capital’s skyline. New green spaces meanwhile include the six-acre Power Station Park, which sits directly in front of the building on the banks for the river.
With the Northern Line also extended to give the neighbourhood its very own Zone 1 London Underground station, Battersea Power Station will 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 is set to be one of the go-to places for South West London, boosting the local economy and creating over 17,000 jobs.
Circus West Village, the first chapter in the regeneration of Battersea Power Station, is already home to over 1,700 residents and a number of bars, restaurants, cafés and fitness and leisure offerings including Japanese patisserie Kova; Fiume an Italian restaurant by Francesco Mazzei; wine bar Vagabond; The Turbine Theatre; and Archlight Cinema. The thriving riverside neighbourhood welcomes three million people on average each year thanks to its annual events programme. Recent highlights include the Light Festival, The Winter Village and Summer Showtime on The Coaling Jetty, London’s first open-air cinema and theatre experience.
