This article is about the business district. For the property development company, seeCanary Wharf Group. For the landmark tower sometimes referred to as Canary Wharf, seeOne Canada Square.
The district was developed on the site of the former West India Docks in East London. Canary Wharf, together withHeron Quays andWood Wharf, forms the Canary Wharf Estate, covering around 97 acres (39 ha).[5]
From 1802 until the late 1980s, the area now known as the Canary Wharf Estate was part of theIsle of Dogs (specificallyMillwall) andPoplar. The West India Docks, a central feature of the area, were primarily developed byRobert Milligan (c. 1746–1809), who founded the West India Dock Company.
ThePort of London Authority was established in 1909 and took control of the West India Dock. The enterprise ofAlfred Lewis Jones, a Welsh shipping magnate and a prominent figure in theCanary Islands, led to a constant stream of ships arriving into London's South Quay Dock.[6] No. 32 berth of West Wood Quay in the Import Dock was built in 1936 with a two-storey transit shed for Fruit Lines Ltd, a subsidiary ofFred Olsen Lines, for theMediterranean andCanary Islands fruit trade, gaining the name Canary Wharf.[7]
After the 1960s, when cargo becamecontainerised, the port industry began to decline, leading to the closure of all the docks by 1980.[8][9] After the docks closed in 1980, the British Government adopted policies to stimulate redevelopment of the area, including the creation of theLondon Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) in 1981 and the granting ofUrban Enterprise Zone status to the Isle of Dogs in 1982.[9]
The Canary Wharf of today began whenMichael von Clemm, former Chairman ofCredit Suisse First Boston (CSFB), came up with the idea to convert Canary Wharf into aback office. Further discussions with developerG Ware Travelstead led to proposals for a new business district. A crucial enabling factor was the LDDC's plan for an inexpensive light metro scheme, theDocklands Light Railway (DLR), which opened in 1987.[10] The project was seen as an innovative and cost-effective use of redundant Victorian-era railway viaducts to improve access.[11] The project was sold to the Canadian companyOlympia & York, who soon learned that the initial DLR service was "too tenuous to convince major companies to relocate".[11] Consequently, Olympia & York agreed to fund half the cost of a vital extension into the City of London, connecting the DLR toBank station via a new tunnel.[11] That extension opened in 1991.[10]
The project was sold to the Canadian companyOlympia & York[12] and construction began in 1988, master-planned bySkidmore, Owings & Merrill withYorke Rosenberg Mardall as their UK advisors, and subsequently by Koetter Kim. The first buildings were completed in 1991, includingOne Canada Square, which became the UK's tallest building at the time and a symbol of the regeneration of Docklands. By the time it opened, the London commercial property market had collapsed, and Olympia and York Canary Wharf Limited filed for bankruptcy in May 1992.
Initially, the City of London saw Canary Wharf as an existential threat. It modified its planning laws to expand the provision of new offices in the City of London, for example, creating offices above railway stations (Blackfriars) and roads (Alban Gate). The resulting oversupply of office space contributed to the failure of the Canary Wharf project.
In October 1995, an international consortium that included investors such asAlwaleed, bought control of the Canary Wharf Group for $1.2 billion.Paul Reichmann (of Olympia & York) was named chairman, and Canary Wharf went public in 1999.[13] The new company was called Canary Wharf Limited, and later becameCanary Wharf Group.
Recovery in the property market generally, coupled with continuing demand for large floorplate Grade A office space, slowly improved the level of interest. A critical event in the recovery was the much-delayed start of work on theJubilee Line Extension. The project was seen as essential to provide the capacity and quality of service required for the high-density development planned at Canary Wharf.[15] The developers, Olympia & York, offered a substantial contribution towards the new line, eventually agreeing to contribute £400 million towards the project costs.[16][15] This arrangement established a new funding precedent where the private-sector beneficiaries of a major public transport project would contribute significantly to its capital costs.[15] However, following the bankruptcy of Olympia & York and delays to the project's opening, the final present value of the developer's contribution was significantly less than originally pledged.[15] Construction of the extension began in 1993, with the line opening in 1999.[17]
The district's strategic importance was also central to the history ofCrossrail. The first Crossrail Bill, introduced to Parliament in 1991, proposed an east-west tunnel that bypassed the Isle of Dogs entirely. As a result, the new financial services cluster, which was not served by the proposed route, "had no cause to lobby on its behalf".[18] This lack of support from a key business stakeholder was a factor in the bill being voted down by a parliamentary committee in May 1994.[18] When the Crossrail project was revived in the early 2000s, it was with a new route specifically designed to include a station at Canary Wharf, a change driven by the area's continued economic expansion.[19] Canary Wharf Group became a strong advocate for the revised scheme, agreeing to build the new station and make a direct financial contribution of £150 million towards the project.[20]
In March 2004, Canary Wharf Group plc. was taken over by a consortium of investors, backed by its largest shareholderGlick Family Investments[21] and led byMorgan Stanley using a vehicle named Songbird Estates plc.
One Canada Square was the tallest building in London and the only skyscraper in Canary Wharf in April 1995.
The same view in April 2022 shows One Canada Square surrounded by a cluster of skyscrapers.
In addition to being a leading global financial district in the United Kingdom, Canary Wharf is famous for a cluster of tall modern commercial complexes and residential high-rise buildings.[22] Built from scratch since the early 1990s, Canary Wharf's rapid grown skyscraper cluster has dramatically transformed the skyline of London with modern architecture.[23][24]
The 75-storey Landmark Pinnacle is the tallest residential tower in Western Europe.[26]
Newfoundland is the tallest build-to-rent building in the United Kingdom.[27]
40 Marsh Wall (Novotel London Canary Wharf) is the tallest all-hotel building in the United Kingdom, and the tallestNovotel in the world.[28]
One Canada Square, at 235 m (771 ft), achieved a 21-year record of the tallest building in the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2012. With its distinctive pyramid pinnacle, the building is recognised as a London landmark, and has been featured in many films and television shows.[29][30]
List of completed buildings in Canary Wharf that are at least 100 m (330 ft) tall
The first residential building built on the Canary Wharf private estate.[32] Known as "the diamond tower" due to its distinctive diamond-pattern steel exoskeleton design.[33]
Quay walls,copings andbuttresses to Import Dock and Export Dock: the originalWest India Docks consists of three docks. The Import Dock, the earliest, was opened in 1800–02, and followed to south by the Export Dock of 1803–06.[62][63]
Warehouses and general offices at the western end of North Quay: originally a range of nine warehouses was built 1800–04 at the western end of North Quay,West India Dock Road. Only two warehouses survived the bombing raids of World War II.[64][65]
These docks along with Nos 1 and 2 warehouses are now the only surviving examples of the first intensive period ofLondon Docklands construction: 1800–10.
Most of the grade II listed buildings in Canary Wharf sit to the north-west ofWest India Dock North, and are located within the West India Dockconservation area.[66] In addition to architectural values, "these buildings and structures are of significance due to their association with the development of the docks and the community that grew up around them".[67]
Two rusticated Portland stone piers with a capping of four dwarf pediments and acroteria.
Former west entrance gate to West India Docks with curved walling and bollards[72]
1900s, early
Westferry Road
1 July 1983
Stock brick curved wing walls and Portland stone gatepiers. Modern brick wall blocks entrance. Two cast-iron obelisk pattern bollards with the inscription WIDC (West India Dock Company).
Railings to west of main gate at West India Docks[73]
1800s, early
West India Dock Road
30 September 1981
Cast iron railings approximately 70 yards in length.
Also known as Cannon Workshops, by engineerJohn Rennie the Younger. A rare survival of an early purpose built illustrative of the workings of the Docks Company.
A one storey, small circular building designed by architectGeorge Gwilt. It originally formed one of a pair built by Docks Company as a lock-up and armoury.
A 20-storey residential tower byCZWG, exemplary of British post-modernist architecture practice and an important residential scheme of the late 20th century British town planning and industrial reclamation.[82]
An over 800m long electric karting facility exists within Cabot Square. The facility can accommodate up to 20 drivers at a time. Karts can reach speeds of up to 45 mph.[95]
Canada Square is one of the central squares at Canary Wharf. It is a large open space with grass, except during the winter when it is converted into an ice rink. The square is named after Canada, because the original developers of modern Canary Wharf, Olympia & York, wanted to reflect their heritage as a Canadian company. Underneath the square is Canada Place shopping mall.
Westferry Circus is on the west side of Canary Wharf. It is a garden at ground level, and below is a roundabout allowing traffic to flow through. The garden is enclosed by bespoke hand-crafted ornamental railings and entrance gates by artist Giuseppe Lund. The area has a long history, dating back to 1812, when the Poplar and Greenwich Roads Company operated a horse ferry betweenGreenwich and the Isle of Dogs. It operated on the West Ferry and East Ferry Roads, which the names survived. Westferry Circus was chosen as the name for the roundabout and park by virtue of its proximity to Westferry Road.
Cabot Square is one of the biggest squares at Canary Wharf, with a large fountain at the centre. The inner perimeter has additional fountains covered by trees. The square has large circular glass ventilation holes to allow gases to escape from the underground car park. The square is named afterJohn Cabot and his son Sebastian, who were Italian explorers who settled in England in 1484.
Churchill Place is an area on the east side of Canary Wharf. It is named afterWinston Churchill.
Columbus Courtyard is a small square on the west side of Canary Wharf named afterChristopher Columbus. The first phase of Canary Wharf was completed in 1992, 500 years after Columbus arrived in America.
Chancellor Passage is a passageway south of Cabot Square. Named afterRichard Chancellor who sailed with Sir John Willoughby from Greenwich on their voyage through the White Sea to Moscow.
Wren Landing is small area north of Cabot Square. Leads to North Dock footbridge towards Port East. Named after British architectChristopher Wren.
Montgomery Square, located at the east end of Jubilee Park, is an outdoor location for socialising. Events include street food markets, beach volleyball tournaments,[96] paddle tennis competition,[97] and minigolf.[98][99]
Jubilee Park is a 10,000 m² roof garden located above Jubilee Place, a shopping mall, andCanary Wharf Jubilee Station, an underground railway station.[100] The park, opened in 2002 and was named in honour of theGolden Jubilee of Elizabeth II.[101] Jubilee Park is located in the financial district of Canary Wharf. The park's central feature is a raised serpentine water channel with rough stone walls. The curvilinear design of the water channel is intended to contrast to the scale and straightness of the surrounding buildings.[102]In 2023, Jubilee Park won theGreen Flag Award, recognising Jubilee Park as one of the United Kingdom's best parks[103]
Crossrail Place has a 4,160 m2 (44,800 sq ft) roof garden, one of London's largest, housed on the top of seven-storey Elizabeth lineCanary Wharf station. Opened to the public in 2015, it is located near theMeridian line, which divides eastern and western hemispheres. In the garden, plants native to the Eastern Hemisphere are positioned to the east of the Meridian line, while those originating from the Western Hemisphere are placed to the west.[104][105] The design and development of Crossrail Place Roof Garden have been recognised with multiple awards from both international and United Kingdom institutions.[106] Selected notable awards include:"Best Urban Regeneration Project" at 2016 MIPIM awards in France,[107] the first prize for the best "Innovative Design of a Contemporary Garden" at the 2017 European Garden Awards in Berlin,[108] and a "Highly Commended" accolade at the 2016 Landscape Institute Awards in the category 'Design for a Small-Scale Development'.[109]
Harbour Quay Garden is a garden opened in early 2022, located onWood Wharf, featuring a boardwalk for waterside leisure. The garden also offers picnic spots and outdoor fitness equipment on the green lawn.[110]
Harbord Square Park is the newest garden square inWood Wharf. It is open 24/7 and offers green space available for mindfulness activities and to support nearby residents' general wellbeing.[111]
Eden Dock in the Middle Dock
Eden Dock opened in October 2024, in partnership with theEden Project. The waterfront green space can be accessed via Jubilee Plaza or Mackenzie Walk. It includes floating islands which are designed to encouragebiodiversity.[112]
Canary Wharf shopping centre has five interconnected shopping malls: Canada Place, Cabot Place, Jubilee Place,Crossrail Place, and Churchill Place. The malls provide over 102,193 m2 (1,100,000 sq ft) of retail space with more than 310 shops.[113] There are also bars, restaurants, and food halls at street level.
Stations in Canary Wharf only offer direct connections to London and Berkshire destinations. Regional and nationalNational Rail connections can be found elsewhere in London, including at Liverpool Street, Lewisham, London Bridge, Stratford,Stratford International and Waterloo.[117]
In 2017, an automatic monitoring station in Blackwall found that local air quality failed to meet UK National Air Quality Objectives, recording an annual averagenitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration of 56 μg/m3 (micrograms percubic metre). The national objective is set by the government at 40 μg/m3.
Alternative stations nearer Canary Wharf recorded cleaner air. Monitors at the Limehouse Link/Westferry Road junction and on Prestons Road recorded a 2017 annual average NO2 concentration of 40 μg/m3, which Tower Hamlets argue fails to meet the UK National Objective.[119]
RB1X - eastbound to North Greenwich andRoyal Wharf Pier; westbound to Tower, London Bridge City, Bankside, Embankment, the London Eye and Westminster (limited service to Battersea Power Station).
London City Airport is 3 miles (4.8 km) from Canary Wharf. Over 4.8 million passengers passed through City Airport in 2018. The airport serves domestic and international destinations.[122][123]
London City Airport is on the DLR train line. Passengers from Canary Wharf can change trains at Poplar for services to the Airport.[116]
The Canary Wharf Group, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Transport for London (TfL) providecycling infrastructure in and around Canary Wharf. Several leisure and commuter routes pass through or near the estate, including:
EuroVelo 2 ("The Capitals Route") - an international leisure cycle route fromMoscow, Russia toGalway, Ireland. In North London, EV2 follows the route of NCR 1.[125]
Cycle Superhighway 3 (CS3) - a commuter cycle route fromBarking to West London. The route runs east–west through nearby Poplar on low-traffic or residential streets. The route is signposted and unbroken.[127]
Cycleway from Hackney to the Isle of Dogs - proposed cycle link which would link Canary Wharf directly to Mile End on traffic-free cycle track.[128][needs update]
Opened in a Grade I listed Georgian warehouse byQueen Elizabeth II in June 2003, theMuseum of London Docklands is one of the main attractions in the area.[130] It is dedicated to the history of London's river, port, and people from Roman settlement to the present day. The museum offers a range of activities for children and families, including interactive displays and immersive activities.[131]
Canary Wharf Group published an official Pokémon map for PokéStops and Pokémon Gyms, the managing director for retail Camille Waxer said in 2016 thatPokémon Go has serious potential to attract new audiences to the area, particularly food and drink outlets which saw an increase in foot traffic.[133]
Cabot Square during the Winter Lights Festival, 17 January 2019
Incepted in 2014, the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival turns on in January every year.[134] The public are free to visit a range of outdoor light, art and interactive installations created by artists from around the world. The festival was awarded the Best Creative Lighting Event award by the [d]arc awards in 2017 and 2019.[135][136]The 2023 Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival was described as the largest light art festival in London.[137][138]
The event is organised annually byWaterAid, an international charity, in collaboration with the Canary Wharf Group. The funds raised through this event are used to combat the escalating water crisis that leaves people globally unable to access clean water and without a basic toilet. TheDragon Boat Race, based on a Chinese tradition dating back over 2,000 years, takes place inSouth Dock of Canary Wharf on summer, and is open to corporate teams of between 11 and 17 participants. In 2022, 15 teams participated in the race, and the event raised £26,000.[139] With 19 teams taking place in the 2023 race, the raised funds was increased to £31,744.[140]
Hosted by the Canary Wharf Group, the festival was a four-day event from 21 to 24 July 2022.[141] It hosted over 60 live acts including music, theatre, dance, poetry, and children's activities throughout the estate. The majority of acts were free to attend, and the event transformed the estate's numerous parks, plazas, and open spaces as they hosted a line-up of artists and performers from across the world.[142] The second year of Festival14 was extended to a five day event in July 2023.[143][144]
Canary Wharf has partnered with Love Open Water to launch its first outdoor swimming since summer 2022. The venue, located in the 220-year-oldMiddle Dock, offers 600 m2 (6,500 sq ft) of open water swimming.[145][146]
The Canary Wharf Art Trail is the largest outdoor public art collection in London.[148][149] People are free to visit more than 100 pieces of stand-alone sculptures, integrated architectural works, and outdoor art exhibiting outside buildings around the Canary Wharf area.[150] Two printed maps are regularly updated by the Canary Wharf Group for visitors to discover and identify artworks permanently on display all over the estate.
Canary Wharf Art Map: over 100 pieces of artworks, with a brief description, are numbered sequentially as to their exhibition locations at Canary Wharf.[151]
Children's Art Trail: a smaller trail of 12 sculptures and artworks for children.[152]
The Canary Wharf website provides information aboutRaise Your Art Rate, an ongoing event that allows visitors to explore the outdoor public art collection while exercising. The event offers 1, 3, and 5 km walking, jogging or running routes that traverse the artworks. The routes are tailored to showcase the over 100 artworks on display throughout the estate. The event is free and open to all visitors.[153]
A free mini golf pitch has been created with a 9-hole course in Montgomery Square.[154]
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