Apple will consolidate all of its London employees into a single campus that will make use of the Battersea Power Station, the decommissioned coal-fired power station.
The announced London headquarters is expected to be ready by 2021 and will house 1,400 employees who will occupy the top six floors of the landmark.
A Neighborhood Rich With History
"Apple employees from existing offices around London will relocate to this magnificent new development at one of London's best known landmarks," Apple says. "It's a great opportunity to have our entire team working and collaborating in one location while supporting the renovation of a neighborhood rich with history."
The Battersea Power Station, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (who was also the genius behind the classic red telephone booths of London), was renowned for its iconic chimneys and brick exterior. In fact, this landmark power station is the largest brick construction in all of Europe.
The building is situated on the south bank of the River Thames. First constructed in the 1930s (and consequently in the 1950s), the station ceased its operations in 1983.
The Battersea Power Station's timeless charm will provide an intriguing contrast to the modern minimalist and futuristic design aesthetic that Apple is known for.
To add even more character to this landmark, both Pink Floyd and The Beatles have each featured the station in their respective albums.
There have been several attempts for the redevelopment of the Battersea Power Station. The first three proposals involved turning the landmark into a theme park, a parkview and an eco tower. The current one marks the fourth and has, by far, the biggest budget at £9 billion ($11.7 billion).
A New Lease On Life
The six floors that Apple plans to occupy will cover 500,000 square feet, which is 40 percent of the total office space within the Grade II* listed landmark. The space can house 3,000 employees without problems, so Apple can hire more than the 1,400 (excluding the 1,100 store employees) that it already has.
Cupertino currently has several London offices, the biggest of which is on Hanover Street, Mayfair, close to its Regent Street store. It has seven other office locations within Greater London, which includes the one atop the Covent Garden store on James Street.
"It has always been our clear objective to create one of London's most thriving new communities and this commitment from Apple will undoubtedly help us achieve this goal," says Rob Tincknell, CEO of the Battersea Power Station Development Company.
Word of the consolidated London offices comes just months before Apple's "spaceship" campus in Cupertino opens its gates. The 175-acre campus will house about 14,000 employees.
