Tens of thousands of people have been enjoying the new piazza at Battersea Power Station after it lay dormant for nearly a century.

The new section of Thames riverside opened to the public in February for the first time since the thirties as part of the redevelopment of the iconic site in Nine Elms.

The one-acre space lies directly in front of Circus West Village, which is the first phase of the £9 billion regeneration project.

See related: Power on – a timeline of how Battersea Power Station came back from the dead

In April alone, more than 30,000 people enjoyed free coffee, ice-cream, putting together a LEGO mosaic of the Power Station, a Dodd’s Gin pop up, a bubbleologist, free pizza from Mother, who will have a restaurant on site this year, and several food stalls, as the space was used for residents and locals to enjoy.

The busiest weekends so far were April 8/9 and Easter weekend, both of which combined attracted 16,000 visitors.

Activities such as face-painting, an artist’s tour of the area, an historical tour and lessons in how to create your own botanic garden in a tea cup will all be available during the end of May bank holiday.

In the coming months, visitors can look forward to an array of independent restaurants, bars and ‘cultural tenants’, such as galleries and creative businesses, making the site their home.  

Rob Tincknell, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, said: “The site has been dormant for many decades so it is lovely to finally be able to bring life back to the area.

“On behalf of our shareholders I am delighted that so many people, the majority being residents and locals, have enjoyed what we are doing and it is only going to get better.

“This really is a great space to enjoy.”

First 100 residents

The first wave of residents at Battersea Power Station moved into Circus West in recent weeks, their block situated between the power station and Chelsea Bridge.

The first of the 100 “pioneers” to pick up their keys said they were delighted to be involved.

Hilary Rowland, 36, and husband Robert, 34, founders of Boom Cycle, will be close to their fitness studio.

Robert said: “When we finish work at 9pm we know we haven’t got far to get home. You see the chimneys and get this great feeling that you are part of it.”

HR consultant Isabel Kiddy said: “Being so close to the power station is the most amazing thing.

“Every time I go past I am astonished at how big it is. I love seeing it when I wake. So many friends are hoping for an invitation.”

Lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe, 62, and wife Lucy, 60, moved into an 11th-floor apartment overlooking Chelsea Bridge.

Patrick said: “We’ve had a boat on Cadogan Pier for 20 years so changing it for a flat on the river seems a natural step.

“I used to live in Battersea when I was first married and the power station has been a part of my visual vocabulary for as long as I’ve lived in London. It’s great we finally have it back.”