Battersea Power Station

A well-known (but abandoned) building designed by Giles Gibert Scott, who was also the architect for Bankside Power Station (now the Tate Modern). The Battersea Power Station is probably one of the most iconic buildings along the Thames, and for many, including me, it's one of the most beloved structures in the city. It has become a favorite spot for amateur photographers, a cultural icon as it has appeared in works of many artists, film makers (Hitchcock and many others) and in MTV and on record covers of rock bands (such as Beatles, Pink Floyd, etc.), and a controversial site for real estate redevelopment. Architect Rafael Vinoly was hired a year or two ago, and recently he has presented his masterplan (N attempts to revitalize this site of collective memory since the early 80s), which involves renovation of the brick building and a new skyscraper and mix use complex alongside. New apartments, shops, hotel, bars, and offices would certainly transform the badly deteriorated architectural icon into a feast for real estate developers. Whether his proposal can balance the taste of politicians, the greed of the developers and the heart of the public, we will soon find out.