5 Of The Best Regeneration Projects South Of The River

London is constantly reinventing itself, and nowhere is that more obvious than on the South Bank. Developers have seized on large industrial properties and old government posts to fill with modern apartments, shops and more. If you’re enjoying a staycation in London this Bank Holiday, have a gander at these evolving icons.

OXO Tower 

OXO Tower was originally designed as a power station to supply electricity to the Royal Mail post office. It was eventually acquired by Liebig's Extract of Meat Co, makers of the Oxo beef bouillon cubes, in the 1920s and used for cold storage.

It passed through several more owners before becoming derelict.  

The Art Deco building is now a mixed-use project with art galleries, restaurants, an event space that can be rented to the public, and 78 apartments.

Battersea Power Station

A decommissioned coal power station, Battersea is an icon on the London skyline. The Art Deco building had been in operation since the 1930s when coal prices in the 1970s caused output to slow, and eventually the station shut its doors in 1983. It lay idle for nearly 40 years. A Malaysian consortium was eventually able to get some plans approved, and Phase 1 is underway. The new development will feature flats, shops, office space and public realm. About £8B is being spent to redevelop the site.

Tate Modern

Formerly the Bankside Power Station, the Tate Modern retains the industrial vibe of its history. The building was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, who was also the architect of Battersea Power Station. In the 1980s, the power station shut. In 1994, the Tate Gallery acquired the property and poured £134M into a renovation. The result is a staggering modern art gallery. It holds the national collection of British art from 1900 to the present day.

County Hall

London County Hall, built in 1911, was the headquarters of the local government until the 1980s. The Saatchi Gallery used it for years until it was evicted in 2005. The building now houses two mid-market hotels (a Premier Inn and a Marriott). Earlier in 2016, etc.venues announced it would use the space for conferences and events.

Shell Centre

A JV between Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar snapped up a 999-year lease for £300M in 2011, and went on to pour about £1.3B into the redevelopment of the 1950s building situated right behind the London Eye. The new scheme will include 800 houses, offices, retail and dining spread over seven blocks.