Published on
July 3, 2017
Last time, we explored the Nine Elms underground and its infrastructure. This time, let’s celebrate the above ground and its architecture.
All throughout June, we had Europe’s biggest annual festival of architecture, taking place across Nine Elms and Vauxhall. This year’s theme for London Festival of Architecture (LFA) was ‘memory’ – a motif that couldn’t be more fitting for a place going through so much change. There was an eclectic mix of workshops, screenings, installations, spectacles, tours, and talks.
As this part of London sheds its exoskeleton, beautiful outdoor spaces, eateries, businesses, and galleries are now open for you to visit.
Walking around, you’ll see a new part of the Thames riverwalk is starting to bud as more of the old industrial South Bank is opened to the public and brought to life with arts installations. You’ll also notice the iconic chimneys of Battersea Power Station are being painted to be visually identical to the original (paint scrapings from the old chimneys were taken to make sure the new colour is an exact match).
To grab some grub or a refreshing beverage, there’s The Black Cab Coffee Company under the trendy Riverlight buildings designed by world-renowned architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. The summer patio here is the perfect spot for an afternoon latte or iced coffee while enjoying the sun. There’s also the new Japanese restaurant, Atami, at Riverlight and Mondo Brewing Tap House in Battersea.
Alongside the food spots, there are museums to check out. Nine Elms and Vauxhall already have a cluster of galleries to enjoy, but now the revamped Garden Museum and Migration Museum have joined the clan. The Garden Museum is in the church of St Mary’s-at-Lambeth by Lambeth Bridge, whose medieval tower offers unique views of London and the river Thames from a new viewing platform.
So bring your walking shoes and visit Nine Elms and Vauxhall to explore the many events, spaces, and architecture. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some of our prestigious peregrines circling overhead.
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