Canary Wharf is a central business district in London, England, located in the Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets. With the City of London and the West End, it constitutes one of the main financial centres in the United Kingdom and the world. Home to many of the world’s major financial corporations and law firms, Canary Wharf serves as the headquarters of more than 150 major businesses.[1][2]
The district was developed on the site of the former West India Docks in East London. Canary Wharf, together with Heron Quays and Wood Wharf, forms the Canary Wharf Estate, covering around 97 acre.[3]
History
West India Dock Company
From 1802 until the late 1980s, the area now known as the Canary Wharf Estate was part of the Isle of Dogs (specifically Millwall) and Poplar. The West India Docks, a central feature of the area, were primarily developed by Robert Milligan (c. 1746–1809), who founded the West India Dock Company.
Port of London Authority
The Port of London Authority was established in 1909 and took control of the West India Dock. The enterprise of Alfred Lewis Jones, a Welsh shipping magnate and a prominent figure in the Canary Islands, Spain, led to a constant stream of ships arriving into London's South Quay Dock.[4] 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 of Fred Olsen Lines, for the Mediterranean and Canary Islands fruit trade, gaining the name Canary Wharf.[5]
London Docklands Development Corporation
After the 1960s, when cargo became containerised, the port industry began to decline, leading to the closure of all the docks by 1980.[6][7] After the docks closed in 1980, the British Government adopted policies to stimulate redevelopment of the area, including the creation of the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) in 1981 and the granting of Urban Enterprise Zone status to the Isle of Dogs in 1982.[7] The Canary Wharf of today began when Michael von Clemm, former chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB), came up with the idea to convert Canary Wharf into a back office. Further discussions with G Ware Travelstead led to proposals for a new business district and included the LDDC developing an inexpensive light metro scheme, the Docklands Light Railway, to make use of a large amount of redundant railway infrastructure and to improve access.
The project was sold to the Canadian company Olympia & York[8]
Canary Wharf Group
In October 1995, an international consortium that included investors such as Alwaleed, 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.[9] The new company was called Canary Wharf Limited, and later became Canary Wharf Group.
In 1997, some residents living on the Isle of Dogs launched a lawsuit against Canary Wharf Ltd for private nuisance because One Canada Square, owned by the company, interfered with TV signals. However, the residents lost the suit.[10]
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 the Jubilee Line Extension, which the government wanted ready for the Millennium celebrations.
In March 2004, Canary Wharf Group plc. was taken over by a consortium of investors, backed by its largest shareholder Glick Family Investments[11]
Tallest buildings
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.[12] Built from scratch since the early 1990s, Canary Wharf's rapid grown skyscraper cluster has dramatically transformed the skyline of London with modern architecture.[13][14]
In April 2026, J P Morgan Chase reached agreement with London City Airport over height restrictions and began preparing a planning application for a 265m tower at Riverside South that, when completed, will overtake One Canada Square as the tallest building in Canary Wharf.[21]
- As of August 2024, six of the United Kingdom's ten tallest buildings are located at Canary Wharf.[15]
Listed buildings
As of 12 February 2023, there are 16 listed buildings in Canary Wharf of which 2 are grade I and 14 grade II.[51]
Grade I listed buildings
These docks along with Nos 1 and 2 warehouses are now the only surviving examples of the first intensive period of London Docklands construction: 1800–10.
- Quay walls, copings and buttresses to Import Dock and Export Dock: the original West 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.[52][53]
- 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,
Corporations and agencies
Canary Wharf contains around 16000000 sqft of office and retail space, of which around 7900000 sqft (about 49%) is owned by Canary Wharf Group.[73] Around 105,000 people work in Canary Wharf,[74] and it is home to the world or European headquarters of numerous major banks, professional services firms, and media organisations, including Barclays, Citigroup, Clifford Chance, Credit Suisse, Ernst & Young, Fitch Ratings, HSBC, Infosys, JPMorgan Chase, KPMG, MetLife
Leisure
Marina
West India Quays and Poplar Dock are two marinas that are used as moorings for barges and private leisure river craft. They are owned by the Canal & River Trust.[78][79]
Library
A local public library, called Idea Store Canary Wharf, is in Churchill Place shopping mall and run by Tower Hamlets Council. It opened in 2006 as part of the Idea Store project[80] and is the borough's fourth Idea Store.[81]
Squares and public areas
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 between Greenwich 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 after John 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 after Winston Churchill.
Columbus Courtyard is a small square on the west side of Canary Wharf named after Christopher Columbus. The first phase of Canary Wharf was completed in 1992, 500 years after Columbus arrived in America.
Parks and green spaces
Jubilee Park is a 10,000 m2 roof garden located above Jubilee Place, a shopping mall, and Canary Wharf Jubilee Station, an underground railway station.[96] The park, opened in 2002 and was named in honour of the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II.[97] 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.[98] In 2023, Jubilee Park won the Green Flag Award, recognising Jubilee Park as one of the United Kingdom's best parks[99]
Crossrail Place has a 4,160 sqm roof garden, one of London's largest, housed on the top of seven-storey Elizabeth line Canary Wharf station. Opened to the public in 2015, it is located near the Meridian 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.
Shopping malls
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 sqm of retail space with more than 310 shops.[109] There are also bars, restaurants, and food halls at street level.
Local government elections
Every four years, residents of Canary Wharf ward elect two councillors to represent them on Tower Hamlets Council.
† Andrew Wood was elected for the Conservative Party in 2018, but resigned to sit as an Independent in 2020.[111]
Transport
Canary Wharf is served by London-wide, regional, national and international transport connections.
Rail
Canary Wharf is in London fare zone 2, and several stations can be found throughout the estate.
Stations in Canary Wharf only offer direct connections to London and Berkshire destinations. Regional and national National Rail connections can be found elsewhere in London, including at Liverpool Street, Lewisham, London Bridge, Stratford, Stratford International and Waterloo.[113]
- The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) calls at Canary Wharf DLR, Heron Quays DLR and West India Quay DLR stations. The line opened in 1987.[112]
Museums and archives
Opened in a Grade I listed Georgian warehouse by Queen Elizabeth II in June 2003, the Museum of London Docklands is one of the main attractions in the area.[126] 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.[127]
Pokémon Go
Canary Wharf has been reported since 2017 as part of the Pokémon Go augmented reality game to being the home for the most wanted Pokémon gyms in London including Canary Wharf DLR station and Montgomery Square.[128]
Canary Wharf Group published an official Pokémon map for PokéStops and Pokémon Gyms, the managing director for retail Camille Waxer said in 2016 that Pokémon Go has serious potential to attract new audiences to the area, particularly food and drink outlets which saw an increase in foot traffic.[129]
Events and festivals
Winter Lights Festival
Incepted in 2014, the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival turns on in January every year.[130] 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.[131][132] The 2023 Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival was described as the largest light art festival in London.[133][134]
WaterAid Dragon Boat Race
Outdoor public art
The Canary Wharf Art Trail is the largest outdoor public art collection in London.[144][145] 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.[146] 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.
The Canary Wharf website provides information about Raise 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.[149]
- Canary Wharf Art Map: over 100 pieces of artworks, with a brief description, are numbered sequentially as to their exhibition locations at Canary Wharf.
Media
The East London Advertiser (formerly The Docklands & East London Advertiser) is a local newspaper printing weekly and also online.
Wharf Life is a fortnightly publication of 15,000 copies for Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London. An E-edition is also available.[150]
See also
- 1996 Docklands bombing
- The Wharf newspaper
- List of tallest buildings and structures in London
Further reading
External links
References
- United Kingdom Skyscraper Diagram skyscraperpage.com, retrieved 26 August 2021^
- A. Beaumont. Contemporary British Fiction and the Cultural Politics of Disenfranchisement: Freedom and the City Springer, 2015^
- Canary Wharf Estate - Canary Wharf Group Canary Wharf Estate