The Dark Knight saw the return of Joker (Heath Ledger) and challenged Batman to walk the fine line between heroism and vigilantism. Additionally, new characters joined the mix bringing exciting twists to the story.
While many superhero films take place in an imaginary universe, The Dark Knight took place in our very own world and brought its battle between good and evil right down to our doorsteps. Here are some iconic locations from its shooting.
Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station in London is an iconic landmark that has been featured in several movies and television shows, most notably as part of The Dark Knight filming location.
The building was officially inaugurated in 1933 and quickly became one of London’s iconic landmarks. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (who also created Liverpool Cathedral), its construction faced criticism from those who felt it would damage nearby Tate Gallery exhibitions or compromise health risks while blackening London’s skyline with coal smoke emissions.
Once completed, it was quickly given the name of “Temple of Power,” quickly becoming one of the most instantly recognisable buildings in London and even appearing on Pink Floyd’s 1977 album Animals cover art.
Today, it remains an iconic structure and popular tourist attraction, serving as an immersive retail and leisure complex that offers visitors unique experiences.
Electric Boulevard, a pedestrianised high street to the south of its building, features numerous shops, restaurants and bars. Furthermore, the restored Turbine Halls at this power station are open for public access.
Turbine Hall A boasts an innovative immersive exhibition tracing the history and development of the power station, while you can travel up the 357ft (109m) north-west chimney on a glass lift for unparalleled city views.
The Criterion Restaurant
Criterion Restaurant in London is famed for its lavish setting and exquisite neo-Byzantine interior designed by Royal Albert Hall architect Thomas Verity. Situated right in Piccadilly Circus, this Grade II listed building dates back 142 years, making it one of the world’s premier dining destinations.
Criterion Tavern and Entertainment Complex was constructed by Thomas Verity in 1873 as a five-storey establishment that quickly became the focus of local life. It quickly gained national and international acclaim.
Criterion Restaurant has an exquisite neo-Byzantine marble and gold mosaic ceiling that mesmerizes diners. Along with its ornate beauty, diners are mesmerised by its ornate interior gilding; its long bar was immortalised in Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes stories.
At The Criterion, their food may be simple but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting for comforting British dishes such as rump steak and shepherd’s pie. Their risotto is also pleasant. There’s plenty more on their menu that could tempt you as well!
Criterion restaurant has long been used as a setting for film shoots and has featured prominently in many popular titles like Downton Abbey, The Dark Knight, and Rush. Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael) and Michael Gregson (Charles Edwards) share an intimate dinner here during series four of Downton Abbey.
Two International Finance Center
One of the most striking scenes from The Dark Knight involves Batman breaking in to capture Lau, a Chinese accountant who had hidden money belonging to mob bosses at Hong Kong’s International Finance Center Tower 2. Filmed there, this scene showcases this city’s striking skyline and bustling streets.
At Two IFC, located directly above Hong Kong Station, visitors will find excellent transport connections – linking major Central buildings, subway lines and bus terminals with each other as well as featuring an indoor walkway leading directly to other IFC buildings as well as Hong Kong’s famous Star Ferry.
Two IFC stands as an iconic building and sets new standards in high-rise design after 9/11 – raising floors to enable flexible cabling management, column-free floor plans, and double-deck elevators – which has set new benchmarks in high-rise architecture.
IFC Mall provides high-end retail services and Michelin restaurant dining experiences with 24-hour support provided by an onsite management team and dedicated concierge.
Two International Finance Center was not only the main shooting location but also an integral component in filming several key action sequences, with a dramatic car chase featuring multiple cars and an 18-wheeler speeding down Wacker Drive, Lower Randolph Street and Columbus Street in Chicago.
An important Chicago scene was shot at the Old Chicago Post Office at 404 West Harrison Street. Inside buildings were used for Joker’s bank robbery and escape; exterior scenes were shot on West Van Buren Street.
The Old Chicago Post Office
The Old Chicago Post Office, built in 1921 and renovated by global architecture firm Gensler to Art Deco standards, is getting another chance at life as office and event space. Acquired in May 2016 by New York-based real estate company 601W for $6.3M in May 2016, 601W hired Gensler as its partner to help restore it and renovate it before leasing back out as office and event space to 601W tenants in November of 2016.
Long vacant, this iconic building had not witnessed one letter pass through its doors in years. Ranking among the worst mail terminals nationwide, when plans to construct another facility nearby fell through it has been left sitting vacant ever since – more than 50 years!
601W and the City of Chicago decided to give The Old Post Office another chance, and transformed it into an office and events center with dining, rooftop garden space and offices for rent. Gensler led this $292 million restoration which has transformed it into a center for business and commerce in Chicago.
Ferrara Candy, Walgreens and a new tenant who will occupy a 200,000-square-foot space are tenants in this iconic structure, while meeting modern workplace requirements with touch-free restrooms featuring Sloan fixtures installed throughout. Redevelopment efforts have given new life to this iconic structure while simultaneously restoring historical charm while meeting contemporary workplace demands – touch-free restrooms equipped with Sloan fixtures are also part of this initiative.
Not only are these fixtures beneficial to hygiene, they also save water and contribute to LEED Gold and WELL certification at the Old Post Office.
Christopher Nolan and his team began filming The Dark Knight in Chicago and other global locations during 2008. This movie changed the Batman franchise drastically by giving classic characters new life with modern details while emphasizing key locations both domestically and abroad.
Queensboro Bridge
If you’re in New York City and searching for something less well-known but still awesome to do, try walking across the Queensboro Bridge. Not only is this East River landmark linked to New York Village but Batman has even shot his iconic trilogy here!
This bridge, popularly referred to as the 59th Street Bridge (due to its Manhattan end being between 59th and 60th streets), opened in 1909. It connects Long Island City with Midtown Manhattan via Roosevelt Island. Later in 2011, former New York City mayor Ed Koch was honored by having it renamed after himself.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby tells of Jay Gatsby and Nick Caraway traveling across the Queensboro Bridge from Long Island to Manhattan in search of new opportunities, with Nick noting how it always represents “an intriguing vision of all its mystery and beauty”.
So it is not surprising that the bridge has found a place in cultural mythology. In Charlotte’s Web, Wilbur and Charlotte mention how building it took eight years and can now be completed overnight.
As it’s one of Batman’s iconic locations, it makes perfect sense that bridges feature prominently in his movies. In The Dark Knight Rises, Bruce Wayne crosses it to reach Gotham City but his mission to rescue citizens from Bane was interrupted by police who destroyed part of it and caused an interruption.
Gotham City Hall
Gotham City has long been the backdrop of Batman stories, from its dark corners of Arkham Asylum to billionaire Bruce Wayne’s sprawling estate of Bruce Wayne Manor. However, as Matt Reeves’ Batman and WB Games Montreal’s Gotham Knights demonstrate, Gotham is also an integral character within itself.
At first glance, The Dark Knight depicts a Gotham city that’s fallen into disrepair since without the Waynes. But in contrast to Batman Begins, its inhabitants appear more polished and better maintained – although bank-robbing clowns remain and police departments remain questionable.
However, Gotham makes you feel as if it is familiar territory; always on the verge of collapse, this city seems familiar yet alien at once.
Gotham City stands out as an unparalleled metropolis, from its vibrant culture and heritage to its unfaltering regality. Amid all of this turmoil and instability lies an oasis of creativity, where characters such as Batman can thrive and grow from.
The General City Police Department headquarters serve as a backdrop for many scenes throughout the movie, from Commissioner Jim Gordon’s office and Mayor Wayne’s to Bruce Wayne’s boardroom and funeral procession which quickly escalates into chaos.
Filming also takes place in Gotham City’s iconic garbage trucks, whose door emblems include elements from Chicago’s old Sanitation Department logo (a large red sans-serif capital letter S atop a medical caduceus). These examples illustrate how its civic heraldry blends elements from both New York City and Chicago.