This is the Lots Road power station on the banks of the River Thames in London, though it is more commonly known as the Chelsea Monster. It became operational in 1905 burning 700 tonnes of coal a day to generate power for the London Underground. At the time it was claimed to be the biggest power station ever built. It was converted to oil and then natural gas but it was finally shut down in 2002 and its future is the inevitable conversion to shops, cafes and apartments. From a pollution perspective I guess I am glad to see it shut down but it truly is a beautiful building, or is it incredibly ugly or both at the same time? I am not sure, but I do like it. And at the risk of sounding overly nostalgic there is something about the texture of old brick buildings which I love, and they make much better photographs than the smoothness of grey grey grey concrete. (Though sometimes, in the right light, concrete can be amazing.) I do feel very sad that this is going to end up as yet another preserved facade full of trendy little boxes on the inside. But at least they will preserve the facade so that the young trendies who move in can brag that they live in an historic building, which no doubt will be one of the major selling points that the real estate agents will push. Or is it that I am being a tad too cynical?
All comments welcomed.

Peter