Dubai: Battersea Power Station takes centre stage at Arabian Travel Market 2025
Central London’s riverside hub attracts MENA attention and investment
DUBAI: Central London’s iconic Battersea Power Station is set to take centre stage at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, held from 28 April to 1 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The historic riverside destination will showcase its growing tourism appeal, expanding visitor numbers, and ambitious development plans, with a special focus on strengthening ties with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Since its public reopening in 2022, Battersea Power Station has firmly re-established itself as one of London’s premier tourist destinations. With over 30 million visitors welcomed in less than three years, it has quickly earned global recognition. In the final quarter of 2024, international tourists represented around one-third of all visits, with a significant proportion originating from the MENA region. Representatives from the Battersea Power Station Development Company will be on-site at stand EU6129, inviting media, partners, and investors to explore the evolution of this 42-acre riverside neighbourhood.
Vibrant riverside destination
Centrally located along a 450-metre stretch of the River Thames, Battersea Power Station blends history with contemporary living. At the heart of the development stands the Grade II listed Power Station, once a coal-fired generator and now a centrepiece of urban regeneration. The site features over 150 shops, bars, and restaurants, offering a mix of global names and British favourites. Apple, Nike, and Starbucks sit alongside UK-firsts such as tashas, as well as icons like Marks & Spencer and Jo Malone.
Beyond its retail credentials, the area houses over 2,200 apartments and has delivered 800,000 square feet of office space to date. The site’s unique fusion of heritage, innovation and luxury has made it particularly attractive to Middle Eastern visitors and buyers, thanks to proximity to the river, green space, and fast links into central London.
World-class experiences
Battersea Power Station’s leisure attractions are a central part of its visitor appeal. At the top of the Power Station’s north-west chimney, Lift 109 offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the capital. The unique glass elevator experience is among the most Instagrammed in London. Rocket Padel has also introduced four indoor courts along the river, marking a first for Central London.
Film buffs can indulge in The Cinema in the Power Station, a luxury venue which has itself featured in films such as The Dark Knight and The King’s Speech. In Spring 2025, the cultural offering will expand further with the launch of NEON at Battersea Power Station, a purpose-built venue for immersive exhibitions. Curated by a global leader in the field, NEON will feature past hits such as Machu Picchu: The Golden Empires of Peru and Jurassic World: The Exhibition.
The neighbourhood is also known for its seasonal events calendar, which attracts visitors from across the globe. The annual Light Festival, celebrASIA – the UK’s largest celebration of Southeast Asian culture – and Glide, the capital’s only riverside ice rink, are just a few of the many highlights across the year.
Economic and urban impact
The Battersea Power Station development is backed by a consortium of Malaysian investors and represents one of the largest private regeneration projects in Central London this decade. The development has already generated 6,600 jobs, with more than 20,000 jobs projected upon full completion of the masterplan. The site also houses Apple’s 500,000 sq ft UK headquarters inside the Power Station, with other global businesses such as Foster + Partners and SharkNinja operating from the new 50 Electric Boulevard.
Improved connectivity has been pivotal to Battersea’s transformation. The Northern Line Extension, opened in 2021, brought the Zone 1 Battersea Power Station Underground station into operation, placing the estate within 15 minutes of both the West End and the City. These upgrades have significantly increased accessibility for both residents and visitors.
More than 3,000 people now reside at Battersea Power Station. Real estate interest remains high, especially among Middle Eastern buyers, drawn to the lifestyle, proximity to central London, and community feel. Only three Sky Villas remain available within the Power Station itself, and a limited number of studios to two-bedroom apartments are on offer in Koa at Electric Boulevard.
The 164-room art’otel London Battersea Power Station, complete with a rooftop infinity pool and panoramic views, adds a further dimension to the visitor experience, blending art, architecture and luxury.
With roughly half of the 42-acre masterplan still to be developed, Battersea Power Station continues to evolve. On the horizon are new residential spaces, commercial areas, green zones and entertainment venues, set to further solidify its status as one of the most dynamic neighbourhoods in London – and a rising star on the global travel map.