Soft power: a new cultural district

Embassy Gardens - Nine Elms, London SW8

OVERVIEW

Nine Elms, on the southern bank of the Thames is a major development that has transformed the geography of London. After decades of being underused, poorly connected and dominated by the derelict Battersea Power Station, the area is now a world-class riverside district, combining homes, workplaces, cultural life and retail. And at its heart sits Embassy Gardens by Ballymore, awarded by Property Week as the Development of the Year, and winner of the RIBA London Award for Masterplanning and Design Excellence.

Embassy Gardens brings together thousands of new homes, shops and offices with panoramic views across the Thames. Following the relocation of the US Embassy in 2018, leading cultural organisations like Penguin Random House have relocated to the area, with a new Northern Line extension placing it firmly on the map of central London.

The pioneering design and engineering also produced the world first Sky Pool, a 15-metre swimmable aqueduct connecting two apartment buildings, 10 storeys above the ground.

And the crowning glory of the development arrived in 2025 with The Capston, two interconnected buildings containing 247 exquisitely-crafted residences with art deco interiors and a private Japanese-inspired garden.

What was once disused industrial buildings and disconnected land has been bought back to life and returned to public use. With a layout inspired by classic London terraces and squares, the smart use of cycle routes, green corridors, landscaped gardens, riverside parks – including the 1km-long Linear Park – and open-air courtyards make this a place to move, live and connect with a community.

From Irish-influenced restaurant and oyster bar Darby’s to modern izakaya restaurant Evernight, an audiophile-level music venue, a residents’ club and the newly curated Mulryan Sculpture Garden, everything you need for a cultured, connected life is here in Embassy Gardens.

“With the relocation of the US Embassy to the area, directly across the river from Pimlico, and the nearby regeneration of Battersea Power Station, Embassy Gardens is the centrepiece of the last great new district in the centre of London.”

Embassy Gardens is at the heart of Nine Elms, the central London riverside neighbourhood whose revitalisation, masterplanned by Sir Terry Farrell, was described by the former Mayor of London as ‘possibly the most important regeneration story in London and in the UK over the next 20 years’.

“A miraculous world first… a liquid blue block suspended against the sky.”

THE GUARDIAN

“A vibrant neighbourhood… combining homes, offices, retail and leisure space.”

Embassy-Gardens - Kitchen & Dining Space

“Embassy Gardens raises the bar on residential development amenities in London.”

“The Nine Elms district is the biggest transformation story London has ever seen… adding an entirely new urban quarter.”

uk construction week

THE FINAL CHAPTER

The Capston forms the final residential phase of the Embassy Gardens masterplan. The development comprises 247 luxury residences across two buildings. Positioned next to the US Embassy and close to Battersea Power Station, it provides a final defining landmark within Embassy Gardens.

The Capston Sales Gallery at Embassy Gardens expresses the design language of The Capston—defined by clarity of form, crafted materials, and precise detailing—while reflecting Ballymore’s proven ability to deliver outstanding, design-led sales environments within its developments.

Sean Mulryan, Ballymore Chairman & CEO outlines his vision for The Capston and the lasting legacy it leaves.

The Capston is a place where exceptional service, exquisite interior design, and thoughtfully curated art combine to create an unparalleled sense of quality throughout every space.

“At the heart of the masterplan rises The Capston, the crowning glory of Embassy Gardens – with art, service and exceptional design at its core.”