Up in Smoke: The Failed Dreams of Battersea Power Station 

By Peter Watts

A journalistic investigation into the past, present and future of London’s favourite former ruin

In 2022 the public was allowed for the first time inside Battersea Power Station, as it was relaunched as a multi-use shopping mall, entertainment destination and office complex. Prior to this, the much-loved brick cathedral had stood empty for over 30 years, a monumental ruin, beloved of film and album-cover-art directors. Yet behind the scenes there was always plenty going on. The building changed hands multiple times as developers staked their fortunes on it, and invariably lost. It was going to be a theme park. A museum of science and industry. A super-sized cinema complex. A home for the Cirque du Soleil. A new stadium for Chelsea football club. Michael Jackson wanted to buy it. 

Up in Smoke: The Failed Dreams of Battersea Power Station explores the power station’s history, from conception and construction, through use and obsolescence, into its long years of stagnation. In this book, former workers, politicians, lords, architects, planners, entrepreneurs, urban explorers and makers of inflatable pigs tell the story of this brooding brick hulk. Ultimately, it’s a story about London and the city we would like it to be.

Hardback, 272 pages, with 51 black & white illustrations

The author

Peter Watts

Peter Watts is a journalist who has worked in the UK national media since 1993, starting at the Sunday Times as a 17-year-old sportswriter. From 2005, he was the lead feature writer at Time Out. He writes about London and music, and his work has appeared in The Independent, The Independent on Sunday, The Times, The Observer, Uncut, Prospect and New Statesman. He blogs at www.greatwen.com.