The world's first floating pool is opening in London this month
Want to bathe 115 feet above Nine Elms? No problem
On 19th May, the largest free-standing acrylic pool structure in the world will be unveiled at Embassy Gardens, the prestigious riverside neighborhood in Nine Elms, London. Once installed, the aptly named Sky Pool will span 25-meters across two buildings and is entirely see-through, meaning people can glide between buildings 35 meters (115 feet) above the ground.
The luxe community already boasts a rooftop sky deck, plush private cinema, purpose-built orange tree garden house, and an array of modern homes. However, on a hot summer's day eight years ago, developers EcoWorld Ballymore decided Embassy Gardens was missing an outdoor swimming pool.
The creative team realized the only pace large enough was between the Legacy Buildings, and so, the sky pool concept was born. The team then worked to design something transparent so swimmers could see the ground, while people standing below could still see the sky.
London-based architects Hal Currey and Arup Associates designed the structure-free rectangular pool so it seamlessly adjoins two of the three residential apartment blocks in the community. The team worked out how to prop the structure in mid-air, and keep it firmly in place, so you can swim easy if you're ever lucky enough to take a dip.
See: Inside this Victorian apartment in Battersea with a warm and rustic feel
The pool was then built in Colorado before its three-week journey across the Atlantic to Battersea. The pool's relationship with the US doesn't stop there, as the concept is oozing with hints of New York's Meatpacking District, which experiments with industrial grit and world-class architectural design.
While both sides of the pool mirror a conventional outdoor swimming pool, the experience is far from orthodox. The floating structure offers the sensation of swimming through the sky whilst offering unspoiled views of the iconic city skyline, including the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.
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See: On the House: Sophie Heawood's Property Binge. This week, houses with pools
The pool was built exclusively for Eagle Club members and residents of Embassy Gardens and their guests. So, if you do not qualify as one of the above, it's time to invest in an apartment or try and become best friends with a resident. Your plan of action is entirely up to you.
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team.
Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US whilst studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site.
Megan currently lives in London, where she relocated from her hometown in Yorkshire. In her home, she experiments with interior design trends and draws inspiration from the home decor ideas she observes in her everyday work life. Her favorite pieces include her antique typewriter and her expansive collection of houseplants. When she isn’t writing, she is browsing London’s coffee shops and bookstores to add to her ever-growing library, taking over the open shelving in her apartment.
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