25 Nov 2022
Battersea Power Station's chimney experience whisks guests up 109m in a glass elevator
BY Tom Walker
The highly anticipated chimney lift experience at the Battersea Power Station has opened to the public.
Called Lift 109, the glass elevator adds a unique experience to the capital's wide range of visitor attractions, offering guests an ascent of 109m up to the top of one of the power station's iconic chimneys where they can take in a spectacular 360-degree view of the city’s skyline.
The Lift 109 experience begins in the Power Station’s Art Deco Turbine Hall A where visitors can delve into the building’s rich history, architectural significance and enduring presence in popular culture through a curated ensemble of original records and multi-media displays.
A giant interactive multiplayer touchscreen also enables guests to collectively ‘generate’ energy.
The lift experience follows and on reaching the top, guests enjoy panoramic views across London – as well as a bird’s eye view of the historic landmark that is Battersea Power Station.
The experience concludes at the Lift 109 Shop where guests have the opportunity to purchase a keepsake of their visit. The attraction also has a full online retail offering at the Lift 109 Store.
The Grade II* listed building’s first three chimneys were built in the 1930s, with the fourth and final chimney completed in the 1950s.
The four chimneys were rebuilt between 2015 and 2017 due to their state of disrepair when they were painstakingly reconstructed using the exact same methods utilised in the original build more than 60 years ago.
The lift is operated by global events and entertainment leader, IMG, which operates some of the UK’s most popular events – including Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland, the Natural History Museum Ice Rink, Hampton Court Palace Festival, The Big Feastival and Taste of London.
Dan Westley, leasing director at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC) – which owns the site – said: “Lift 109 is a truly one-of-a kind attraction. Where else can you travel to the top of one of the most iconic chimneys in the world in a glass elevator?
"It really is the cherry on the cake for this regeneration project, cementing our status as London’s newest visitor destination."
Stephen Flint Wood, MD of arts and entertainment events at IMG added: “Lift 109 offers unparalleled views of London, as well as an interactive insight into the energy behind the icon.
"This immersive new exhibition and unique viewing platform will attract visitors to the Power Station from across London, the UK and the rest of the world.”
Battersea Power Station reopened to the public on 14 October 2022 and is the centrepiece of a new ‘15-minute’ live, work and play neighbourhood. The building was rescued after years of neglect, multiple owners and numerous proposed and failed schemes, following a major overhaul led by architects Wilkinson Eyre.
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