London’s “SKY POOL”
This particular London Shoes blog most definitely sits within the ‘quirky’ category of London’s history – even though it is very much indeed – recent history.
Last week ‘Shoes’ trekked off down to deepest South West London and in particular its southern banks of the River Thames – the destination being the strangely named “Nine Elms” district in the London Borough of Wandsworth.
‘Nine Elms’ is so named because centuries ago there were apparently a prominent row of 9 elm trees bordering its boundary with Battersea, right next door.
Throughout the past couple of centuries, Nine Elms was a heavily industrial area – very run-down, with poor housing occupied by London’s poorer working classes.
Not so today though – as it is now one massive building site – one of London’s most up and coming developing areas with masses of very expensive luxury high-rise apartments everywhere you look – that overlook the River and beyond.
Nine Elms is also the site of London’s historic “New Covent Garden-Fruit & Veg and Flower Market” which moved from Covent Garden to Nine Elms in 1974.
One of Nine Elms most recent new residents is the ‘American Embassy’ which moved from its well-known long-standing Grosvenor Square address, where it had been since 1938 – relocating across to the southern banks of the River, as recently as 2017.
Situated in its very own Embassy Gardens – this impressive uniquely designed cube shaped building, dominates the local skyline.
However – the American Embassy is not the only ‘unique’ feature of Nine Elms and its Embassy Garden area – as there is another newly created, very unusually quirky landmark, that is equally as fascinating, as it is the first of its kind in London.
:- the Nine Elms……”SKY POOL”
The Sky Pool is exactly what it says on the tin – a ‘swimming pool in the sky’!!!!
Opened in 2021 this 115ft high – 82ft long heated swimming pool, is suspended above ground between 2 tall apartment buildings.
Its ‘deck’ area, either end of the pool – has a spa – an orangery and a bar.
However – only the likes of specific and selected residents of the Embassy Gardens residential complex are allowed access to the Sky Pool – so the likes a commoner like me being allowed to have a splash about – is highly unlikely.
Although design wise, the Sky Pool is a class act – because of the exclusivity of its patronage, it has been highlighted as an example of gross opulence – a real ‘them & us’ toy thing for London’s wealthy.
However – because it’s the first of its kind in the ‘Smoke’ – I felt that the subject matter deserved a Shoes blog.
Well worth a visit – just because of its quirkiness.
So – having spent some time looking up at people splashing around in the Sky Pool – I was starting to get a crick in my neck – and so I legged it off to a nearby pub for a little liquid refreshment, before heading off back home.
Just a couple of minutes’ walk from the not long opened ‘Nine Elms’ tube station – I stumbled upon Nolan’s – an old-style Irish pub tucked away in a side street.
There’s been a pub on its site since 1856 – and a very comfy, friendly, and welcoming pub it is too – the ideal place to sink a couple of ‘cheeky’ Guinness’s.
Anyway – that’s all about the Nine Elms Sky Pool and its immediate surroundings – hope you enjoyed it
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See below the full gallery of photos taken to support this “SKY POOL” blog
Nine Elms tube station – an extension of the Northern Line – opened as recently as Sept 2021
Me – down on the platform of the Sept 2021 opened Nine Elms tube station
Nine Elms tube station
Embassy Gardens area of Nine Elms
Nine Elms is like one massive building site at the moment – expensive high rise residential apartments going up all over the place
Looking east down the River Thames – from its Nine Elms shoreline
Me – down by the Nine Elms shoreline of the River Thames
Looking west down the River Thames – from its Nine Elms shoreline
The amazingly eye catching ‘American Embassy’ – in Nine Elms – opened in 2017
The American Embassy – at Nine Elms
Me – at the American Embassy – at Nine Elms
The American Embassy – at Nine Elms
The American Embassy – at Nine Elms
A view of the ‘Sky Pool’ (see arrows) seen from the site of the American Embassy
The Sky Pool – as seen from the banks of the River Thames at Nine Elms
Me – alongside the American Embassy – with the Sky Pool in the distance
A closer view of the Nine Elms ‘Sky Pool’
A closer view of the Nine Elms ‘Sky Pool’ – with a swimmer having a splash about
A closer view of the Nine Elms ‘Sky Pool’ – with a swimmer having a splash about
An aerial view of the Sky Pool at Nine Elms
A closer view looking up at the ‘Sky Pool’
A closer view of the Nine Elms ‘Sky Pool’ – with a swimmer having a splash about
A closer view of the Nine Elms ‘Sky Pool’ – with a swimmer having a splash about
A close-up a someone swimming in the Sky Pool
Me – directly under the Sky Pool – with a swimmer above me ‘filbert’
Me at Embassy Garden area of Nine Elms – now a very posh upmarket district of London
Embassy Gardens – Nine Elms
The 1856 built ‘Nolan’s pub – an old skool Irish pub, just a couple of minutes walk from Nine Elms tube station
Me – outside Nolan’s pub down at Nine Elms
Inside Nolan’s pub
Me – knocking back a ‘cheeky’ glass of black stuff – in Nolan’s pub – Nine Elms
I love the way you always manage to find a nice pub for a Guinness wherever you are!
It just has to be done Bev 🍺😄
Absolutely amazing Geoff. Not sure I could swim in that pool mind you!
Went there & into the Battersea Power Station last week with the architecture group, fascinating. If you are looking for it you can see it from the train just outside Vauxhall station, it’s very beautiful lit up at night.
Oh wow, It’s changed so much round there!
New Covent Garden market at Nine Elms was my first branch I worked at. The main branch was above the Flower Market and the sub branch was above the Fruit and veg market, great memories and life long friends made there!
Fascinating
Excellent
Thank you Wendy – glad you enjoyed it.
LONDON SHOES