LONDON: Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC) and construction firm Sisk have broken ground on Prospect Place South to mark the start of construction, the next phase of development for the 42-acre riverside neighbourhood.

Designed by Gehry Partners, Prospect Place South will comprise two buildings, Rosewood House and Hayworth House which will complete the riverside neighbourhood’s pedestrianised high street, Electric Boulevard. The buildings will deliver approximately 300 new homes, 65,000 sq ft of new commercial space for shops, cafes and restaurants, a 15,000 sq ft Community Hub and an expanded bike hub providing 600 spaces free of charge. 

As main contractor, Sisk will lead the construction of the development, working alongside BPSDC and the wider project team to deliver the Gehry-designed buildings. 

It will form an extension to the highly recognisable existing buildings at Prospect Place and remain the only residential buildings in the UK designed by Frank Gehry, the world-famous architect and designer of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. 

The ongoing focus on sustainability means Prospect Place South has a more modern aesthetic to reduce the carbon footprint while green roofs will also be present on both buildings, contributing to a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain.

The construction of Prospect Place South is expected to create 400 jobs, with an aim for 20% of the workforce to be from the local area; a target which has been exceeded across the 7,500 jobs which have already been created at Battersea Power Station. Construction is expected to be completed in 2030.

Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova described the groundbreaking at Prospect Place South as an exciting moment for Battersea Power Station.

“I welcome the creation of hundreds of new jobs for local people, helping to drive growth, create opportunities and strengthen our local economy. This is another important step in making Battersea the best place to live, work and visit,” she added. 

Wandsworth Council leader Cllr Robert Morritt said it's fantastic to see work begin here on Prospect Place South as we reach another important milestone in the transformation of Battersea Power Station. 

BPSDC chief executive officer James Saunders said Prospect Place South represented the next chapter in the regeneration of Battersea Power Station and marked the return of construction activity to the site. 

“Breaking ground at Prospect Place South marks an exciting next chapter in the regeneration of Battersea Power Station and, importantly, sees construction getting underway on site once again,” he said.

Saunders said the development would create further employment opportunities and community spaces for local residents while adding another pair of Gehry Partners-designed buildings along Electric Boulevard.

Sisk chief executive officer Paul Brown said Prospect Place South demonstrated the company's capability in delivering large-scale residential developments in London.

“We are proud to be working alongside the Battersea Power Station team to bring forward Prospect Place South which will deliver more than 300 new homes and two landmark buildings designed by Gehry Partners,” he said.

Among those present were Wandsworth Work Match employer engagement manager for construction Karen Gleaves, Battersea Project Holding Company chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan and Sisk managing director Ger Hayes.

Representatives from SP Setia Bhd, Sime Darby Property Bhd, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) were also in attendance. 

Stay ahead of the crowd and enjoy fresh insights on real estate, property development and lifestyle trends when you subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.