Great news from Philadelphia: the former Delaware Power Station has been transformed into a new hub of urban life — the Ballers sports pavilion.
From Turbines to Courts
Built in the early 20th century, the turbine hall supplied the city with power for decades and remained in operation until 2005. Today, it’s part of The Battery — a large-scale redevelopment that includes residential spaces, retail, and even a rooftop pool. The heart of the station — 5,110 m² (55,000 sq ft) of the historic turbine hall — has now become a new heart of city life.
The space now hosts:
- courts for pickleball, padel, squash, and soccer,
- golf simulators,
- training zones,
- a restaurant, bar, and lounges for post-game relaxation.
Playing pickleball under 23-meter-high ceilings is perhaps a new kind of urban experience — blending industrial heritage with modern city rhythm.
Architecture
The project was designed by Philadelphia-based studios Good City Studio and Hexagon Studio Architects. They preserved the steel trusses, concrete structures, and vaulted ceilings, kept parts of the original graffiti, and added new sports and social zones.
A Global Trend
Philadelphia isn’t the only city giving power plants a second life. In New York, the renowned architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron led a similar transformation — converting a former power station in Brooklyn into an art center.
Address: Ballers / 1325 N Beach St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
