The Thames from the Battersea Power Station construction site 3:30 pm 17 July 2017
The extraordinary development in London between Chelsea Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge, which includes a new USA embassy, an extension of the underground to Battersea, and a complete redevelopment of the Battersea Power Station site with an assortment of buildings by such names and Gehry and Foster, is just very slightly taking some shape. When completed it will totally transform my neighborhood, but will in no way damage the bucolic nature of Battersea Park which I overlook. So I win, win!
As you can see here there are little sites which will be occupied by restaurants, and disturbingly up market delis - not really reflecting the 2017 reality. We shall see whether this really works for our diverse community in Battersea. There may be some Brexit-like delusional mentality working here. We shall see. But what is clear is that it will be a destination for a time, until it shows that it is not actually responding to the needs of the "real" Battersea.......
The first store to open is the Battersea General Store. I think that it is missing a trick. It has good stuff in it, but is is overpriced and may very well collapse given that the owners and tenants of the nearby apartments are rather few - they are absentee landlords and the rest are shopping instead at Waitrose up the road! It was empty this afternoon.........it is a long term project and I hope that they have done their homework.
And now some opera! I had a very enjoyable evening at the Royal Opera House yesterday evening. Following my usual policy of not making too many invidious comments if it can be avoided, I will restrict my remarks to applause for two hugely talented young people. These were the terrific mezzo Angela Simkin - she really captures her audience; and Thomas Atkins, a tenor from New Zealand, blessed with a voice of exceptional seductive beauty. Rare indeed.
I had a fun evening with so many old friends and colleagues. Late to bed!!
Comments