History was made at London's former coal-fired power plant, Battersea Power Station last week as it welcomed its first-ever residents.
Battersea handed the keys to homeowners in the Grade II* listed building, following the completion of Switch House West.
Switch House West is the first major element of the Power Station to complete since the commencement of the large-scale project in 2013.
The Battersea Power Station, which lay dormant and derelict for decades after it was decommissioned in the 1980s involves the transformation of the 42-acre former industrial brownfield site into a new town centre for London.
In 2012, the game-changing development was taken over by a consortium of Malaysian investors, comprising SP Setia Bhd, Sime Darby Property Bhd, and the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF).
The commercial assets within the power station building are now directly owned by Permodalan Nasional Bhd and EPF.
Once fully completed, Battersea will comprise new homes, shops, cafes, restaurants, offices, event spaces, and over 19 acres of public space including a six-acre park.
The £9 billion regeneration project is set to open to the public from next year.
Battersea Project Holding Company chairman Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin said in a press release last week that it is a proud day for Malaysia and the consortium of shareholders who transformed this historic building into a sustainable city living address while restoring the landmark and giving it a new lease of life.
"As custodians of this globally significant building, it is with great pleasure that we welcome residents into the Power Station for the first time in history," he said.
Battersea Power Station Development Company chairman Datuk Wong Tuck Wai said there is continued progress across the Battersea project.
Wong also said the company is delighted to see the Malaysian Vision for this thriving new London neighbourhood now becoming a reality.
Battersea Power Station Development Company chief executive officer Simon Murphy said following this latest significant milestone, the company is now looking forward to completing the remaining elements of the Power Station, ahead of opening to the public next year.
The rest of the development of Battersea will be completed in stages throughout the rest of the year, with residents moving into the Boiler House and Switch House East in the coming months.
Half a million square feet of office space in the building will be handed over to Apple this summer to commence the fit-out of its new London Campus.
Retail and F&B brands will begin fitting out their units later in the year.
There is also progress being made to Electric Boulevard, the third phase of the project, which comprises buildings to the south of the Power Station and Battersea Roof Gardens.
Once open to the public, Battersea Power Station will house over 100 shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as unique events and leisure spaces, including the Chimney Lift Experience, which will be operated by global events and entertainment leader IMG.
The glass elevator will transport visitors 109m up inside one of the Power Station's iconic chimneys before they emerge at the top to enjoy unrivalled 360-degree views of the capital's skyline.
Circus West Village, the first chapter in the regeneration of Battersea Power Station, is home to over 1,500 residents and over 20 bars, restaurants, cafés, and fitness and leisure offerings.