Construction delays leave Apple's iconic London Battersea offices in doubt

Posted:
in General Discussion
Having planned to move 1,400 staff and create a London Campus, Apple is reportedly looking for alternatives after the building project has fallen behind schedule.




Battersea Power Station remains a distinctive feature on the south bank of London's River Thames even though it hasn't generated electricity since 1983. The structure has been abandoned since but is now being renovated for use as office space. In 2016, Apple and the Battersea Power Station Development Company announced plans for the technology firm to move in.

According to plans then, Apple was intending to occupy space on all six floors of the site and move 1,400 staff into it. Currently they're spread across eight offices in the city and the aim was to have the facility open in 2021. The site was also announced as being developed into a residential area with some 20,000 apartments.

Now, however, The Times newspaper reports that sources say Apple is looking for alternative sites. It's most likely to be regular due diligence with Apple working to ensure it's not dependent on one single site.

However, this news comes as the development company confirms construction delays have resulted in some residential buyers pulling out of the project.

"We are a number of months delayed, absolutely," said developer Simon Murphy. Speaking of the residential buyers, he added that "we told everyone what the situation was, we offered them the chance to stay or go, and I'm delighted that 80 percent have said they will stay."

Apple declined to comment and no other business either currently in the site or joining later has confirmed a move away from Battersea.

Artists' Rendering of Apple at Battersea Power Station
Artists' Rendering of Apple at Battersea Power Station


"We'll give [Apple] that building at the end of 2021. That's what everyone is very confident about at this stage," said Murphy. "And you'll probably see Apple coming in some time after. Their fit-out [installing services, furniture and IT] is a big job."

Battersea Power Station has been empty since it closed in 1983. In 2012 the site was bought by a consortium of businesses from Malaysia. The building isn't as immediately well known outside London as in it -- Battersea Power Station remains iconic for its appearances in art and music.

The building with its four chimneys was featured on the cover of Pink Floyd's Animals and in the film Help by the Beatles. In 1965 it was included in a Doctor Who story.

Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    badmonkbadmonk Posts: 1,278member
  • Reply 2 of 10
    nunzynunzy Posts: 662member
    Battersea needs Apple more than Apple needs Battersea.
    cornchipargonaut
  • Reply 3 of 10
    nunzy said:
    Battersea needs Apple more than Apple needs Battersea.
    Apple need a great Siri team more than anything.  :)
    JWSC
  • Reply 4 of 10
    :)  strategically it wouldn’t make zero sense creating an engineering office in the UK post Brexit. 
  • Reply 5 of 10
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,148member
    matrix077 said:
    nunzy said:
    Battersea needs Apple more than Apple needs Battersea.
    Apple need a great Siri team more than anything.  :)
    Or a new MBA and Mac Mini.
  • Reply 6 of 10
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    chelin said:
    :)  strategically it wouldn’t make zero sense creating an engineering office in the UK post Brexit. 
    I think the offices are for support and administration. 
  • Reply 7 of 10
    The surrounding developments of Battersea from the same company are also being hammered for their uninspiring bland architecture, destruction of the viewing angles of the power station itself, as well as their exorbitant purchase cost. Here nominated in the Carbuncle Cup shortlist for architecture’s wooden spoon 2017


    edited September 2018 argonaut
  • Reply 8 of 10
    xbitxbit Posts: 390member
    I’m surprised more residential buyers didn’t pull out. The top end of London house market is collapsing at the moment due to Brexit.
    Appleishargonaut
  • Reply 9 of 10
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    xbit said:
    I’m surprised more residential buyers didn’t pull out. The top end of London house market is collapsing at the moment due to Brexit.
    The U.K. government is also collapsing due to Brexit. 
    Appleishargonaut
  • Reply 10 of 10
    Putin's Brexit operation, like his Trump operation, is cucking the west, hard.
    argonautjony0
Sign In or Register to comment.