Wood Wharf
Encyclopedia
Wood Wharf is a redevelopment project on the Isle of Dogs
in the Docklands of London
.
.
estate.
The master plan was approved by Tower Hamlets London Borough Council
in 2003. During 2004 British Waterways held a competition to select a development partner for the project. In 2005 a consortium of the Canary Wharf Group and Ballymore Properties were chosen as the preferred partner. In July 2005 the consortium began putting together its development team.
In November 2007, a new master plan was unveiled, by Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners. The official Wood Wharf website was updated. The new master plan shows considerably higher density, as well as more towers, which are also taller than the previous ones. The next step is to find different architects to design each individual building. The developers want at least one iconic residential, and one iconic office tower as part of the project.
The new master plan also contains a high street, which will run up the middle of the site. This will host bars, shops, cafés and restaurants. This will be covered by a glass snake-skin type roof. A planning application was filed on 30 June 2008. The Section 106 contribution of £150 million (£100 million towards the Crossrail
project alone) is one of the largest ever made in London. On 8 October 2008, Tower Hamlets Strategic Development Committee voted unanimously to grant approval for the application.
Canary Wharf Group, which is a 25% partner in Wood Wharf project, does not wish to proceed with the scheme until it has completed and let all of the office projects on and around the original Canary Wharf Estate, including Riverside South
, North Quay
, Heron Quays West
, and 25 Bank Street
. http://www.leytonstonia.com/2010/12/with-jp-morgan-on-their-way-to-25-bank.html
Isle of Dogs
The Isle of Dogs is a former island in the East End of London that is bounded on three sides by one of the largest meanders in the River Thames.-Etymology:...
in the Docklands of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The site today
The 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) of Wood Wharf was historically used for the shipping and storage of timber and the repair of ships. This use continued throughout most of the 20th Century until the late 1960s and 1970s, when the ship repair yard and dry dock ceased operation. Presently parts of it are occupied by low rise light industrial premises and the remainder is vacant or derelict. It belongs to British WaterwaysBritish Waterways
British Waterways is a statutory corporation wholly owned by the government of the United Kingdom, serving as the navigation authority in England, Scotland and Wales for the vast majority of the canals as well as a number of rivers and docks...
.
The plans
The master plan proposal is for a mixed use development. It would have 4900000 square feet (455,224.9 m²) of office space and around 1,500 homes, many of them affordable (i.e. social sector) family units. The office space would effectively be a seamless expansion of the Canary Wharf business district, albeit not officially part of the Canary WharfCanary Wharf
Canary Wharf is a major business district located in London, United Kingdom. It is one of London's two main financial centres, alongside the traditional City of London, and contains many of the UK's tallest buildings, including the second-tallest , One Canada Square...
estate.
The master plan was approved by Tower Hamlets London Borough Council
Tower Hamlets London Borough Council
Tower Hamlets London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in Greater London, England. The council is unusual in that its executive function is controlled by a directly elected mayor of Tower Hamlets, currently Lutfur Rahman.Following the May 2010 election,...
in 2003. During 2004 British Waterways held a competition to select a development partner for the project. In 2005 a consortium of the Canary Wharf Group and Ballymore Properties were chosen as the preferred partner. In July 2005 the consortium began putting together its development team.
In November 2007, a new master plan was unveiled, by Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners. The official Wood Wharf website was updated. The new master plan shows considerably higher density, as well as more towers, which are also taller than the previous ones. The next step is to find different architects to design each individual building. The developers want at least one iconic residential, and one iconic office tower as part of the project.
The new master plan also contains a high street, which will run up the middle of the site. This will host bars, shops, cafés and restaurants. This will be covered by a glass snake-skin type roof. A planning application was filed on 30 June 2008. The Section 106 contribution of £150 million (£100 million towards the Crossrail
Crossrail
Crossrail is a project to build a major new railway link under central London. The name refers to the first of two routes which are the responsibility of Crossrail Ltd. It is based on an entirely new east-west tunnel with a central section from to Liverpool Street station...
project alone) is one of the largest ever made in London. On 8 October 2008, Tower Hamlets Strategic Development Committee voted unanimously to grant approval for the application.
Canary Wharf Group, which is a 25% partner in Wood Wharf project, does not wish to proceed with the scheme until it has completed and let all of the office projects on and around the original Canary Wharf Estate, including Riverside South
Riverside South (Canary Wharf)
Riverside South is a proposed skyscraper development in Canary Wharf, London. Some below ground-level work has been carried out by the investment bank JP Morgan, which bought a 999 year lease on the site with the intention of making the building its London office, but the firm now plans to move...
, North Quay
North Quay
North Quay is an approved office development, consisting of three towers on the north side of Canary Wharf in London. The developer is Canary Wharf Group and the architect is Cesar Pelli.The heights of the towers will be:*Tower 1 - 221m - 40 floors...
, Heron Quays West
Heron Quays West
Heron Quays West is a skyscraper development approved for construction in Canary Wharf, London. The current design is for two large skyscrapers connected by a large atrium at the base, not unlike the Riverside South development. The site is at the south west of the Canary Wharf site off Bank Street...
, and 25 Bank Street
25 Bank Street
25 Bank Street is an office tower in the Canary Wharf business district of London. It was developed in 2001-2003 by Canary Wharf Group as one of five new buildings on its Heron Quays site...
. http://www.leytonstonia.com/2010/12/with-jp-morgan-on-their-way-to-25-bank.html