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Canary Wharf is one of the major business districts in London, with many of the tallest buildings in the United Kingdom. The district was developed on the Isle of Dogs, where the former site of the West India Docs used to be. The first buildings here were finished in 1991, including the tallest building, One Canada Square.

Also known as Canary Wharf Tower, One Canada Square overlooks an array of venues, including a financial theme park and a toytown. Described by some as a ‘square prism with a pyramidal top’, the building stands at 235 m (770 feet) above ground level and contains 50 storeys. Presently under construction, the Shard London Bridge is due to be completed by 2012 and will become the tallest building in the UK. One Canada Square itself is a recognized landmark of the capital city, gaining attention though television, film, and media as being one of the tallest buildings in the country. It is the 15th tallest building in Europe and the 204th tallest in the world.

One Canada Square was designed by Cesar Pelli who based the shape and design of the building on Big Ben and the World Financial Center. The tower was saved from bankruptcy twice before reaching its present levels of occupancy. The building is surrounded by recently built towers, housing Citigroup, HSCB, and offices of Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Bank of America, and more.

Canary Wharf is a busy area, with 90,000 people working there. The district is home to major media organizations, professional service companies, and banks, including Thomas Reuters, Clifford Chance, State Street, and others.

Visitors can shop, dine, and even watch silent movies at the Barbican Silent Cinema at Canary Wharf, which presents classic silent movies such as the Buster Keaton in the Navigator. The Canary Wharf Jazz Festival takes place at the Canada Square Park, featuring urban folk and blues, Latin jazz, and world-class jazz. Among the performers are Gwyneth Herbert, Femi Temowo, Cuban Combination, Ska Cubano, and others. Jazz on the Screen is another event taking place at Canada Square Park, presenting jazz documentaries from the 1950s and 1960s. The event takes place in August. The Lunch Market is organized in September, bringing the spirit of outdoor markets from around the globe. Visitors can taste Spanish seafood, Italian Arancini, Argentinian steak sandwiches, Peruvian food, and other tasty lunchtime treats.

Visitors can also take a walk that will guide them through the district’s natural reserves and landscaped open spaces. They will have the chance to observe aquatic creatures and colorful flower beds, learning about the species of insects, fish, and bird that this area attracts. Visitors will discover the flora and fauna here and find out how Canary Wharf Group’s standards of sustainability and ecological management have helped preserve the area.

The Canary Wharf area is attracting residents as well as businesses and is a proof of ever-changing London.

How to get to Canary Wharf: Subway - Jubilee line and DLR to Canary Wharf station.

Canary Wharf and the Queens House, Greenwich



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