Presented almost completely open-plan (you do get walled off bathrooms), they recall Docklands’ warehouses with more than a nod, stylistically, to the red-brick structures of New York’s Meatpacking District.
But while the flavour is of industrial buildings cleverly converted for residential use, the 11-storey tower is newly built, meaning it comes with none of the hassle or dodgy bodges that can plague refurbishment projects.
Instead, the exposed concrete ceilings, black metal framed windows and cast iron radiators are all carefully thought-through design statements contained within a thoroughly modern structure.
The apartments offer a completely open-plan design with industrial details
Capping the whole thing off, developer Canary Wharf Group has now launched a pair of apartments on the building’s top floor.
The Upper Lofts, both priced at £1,950,000, feature internal living space of 1,400sq ft and feature wrap-around terraces of more than 1,000 sq ft.
Properties feature fully-fitted kitchens with stainless steel units and counter tops as well as Siemens appliances.
Bathrooms come with free standing baths, double basins and black-framed, walk-in showers.
The 8 Harbord Square homes come with fully fitted stainless steel kitchens
a singular offering at 8 Harbord Square
Canary Wharf Group director of residential sales, Melanie Conway, said: “The expression ‘one-of-a-kind’ is sometimes overused, but in this instance, The Upper Lofts represent ‘two-of-a-kind’ apartments not seen before in London.
“Their positioning within 8 Harbord Square and the wider Canary Wharf estate gives them views of iconic surrounding landmarks, which previously you would only have seen from some of our tallest residential buildings.
“With vast wrap-around terraces and totally open plan living spaces, they have been designed to take advantage of these views and the natural light that floods the spaces, giving residents the most incredible sunrises and sunsets.
“8 Harbord Square marks the final building in our residential portfolio on the estate, meaning it’s the last opportunity to own a piece of the Wharf’s rich history and to be a part of the incredible transformation that has taken place here.”
Residents are free to configure and dress their apartment however they like
an emerging neighbourhood
Part of Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf development, 8 Harbord Square is the final building in Canary Wharf Group’s scheme to feature homes for private sale.
Further residential projects will fall under its wholly-owned subsidiary Vertus, which boasts an extensive portfolio of homes to live in via all-inclusive rental deals.
Wood Wharf itself is rapidly becoming established as an area to visit with restaurants such as Dishoom, Hawksmoor, MMy Wood Wharf, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta and Roe attracting a steady stream of visitors.
Third Space recently opened a new site locally, adding Hot Yoga, Reformer Pilates and a new 20m swimming pool to its Canary Wharf offering, while creative companies such as Qube, Vow Studio and Broadwick also now call the neighbourhood home.
The Cube, a competitive socialising experience is set to open nearby, while Harbord Square itself now boasts a vet, GP surgery, convenience store and a sports hall and gym complex for residents to investigate.
The Upper Lofts feature wrap-around terraces with views over London
key details – 8 Harbord Square
The Upper Lofts at 8 Harbord Square are both priced at £1,950,000.
Other properties in the 82-apartment building start at £770,000 for an 801sq ft home or £990,000 for 1,037sq ft.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Leah Sams’ Paradise Collection from Power Of Women perhaps typifies the changing face of Canary Wharf.
It’s tech, it’s fashion, it’s illustration, it’s female-led and it’s been created and launched on the east London estate.
Having swapped theatrical costume and set design for art and illustration during the pandemic, Leah found success selling digital works as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
The move into tech came after her husband Jack also changed career, leaving the performing arts world to fight fires and discovering his colleagues’ passion for crypto assets.
“He showed my artwork to them, which is very female-orientated and empowered, and these burly men were saying they would buy it,” said Leah, who moved to the UK from Malaysia to study theatre arts at university.
“That was the rabbit hole that started my career in the digital art world.
“At the time I started selling NFTs it was a very male space – less than 10% were female collectors or artists.
“I launched a very female-focused collection of works and they sold out within three hours and made more money than I did in a whole year selling on Etsy.
“At the time a lot of artists saw it as a way to make a living, often for the first time as digital creators.”
Artist, illustrator and Power Of Women founder Leah Sams
Leah Sams – the power of tech…
Leah’s success led to an exhibition at Adidas’ flagship London store as well as collaborations with the likes of Manchester City FC.
Much of the hype has gone out of the NFT market.
But Leah is certain the tech that makes it work – an immutable record of the provenance and authenticity of a work stored on a blockchain to identify the owner of a piece – will continue to become an increasingly important part of our digital world.
“A lot of the people who came into NFTs to make a quick buck have all left,” said Leah, who lives on the Isle Of Dogs.
“But what you’re left with is interesting people building interesting things, and that’s great, because it’s now easier to sift through and find amazing pieces.
“The is definitely not perfect, but the people who are working with this technology truly believe that it is going to be part of our everyday lives.
“When we first had the internet, there a lot of sceptics and all sorts of companies building websites, but from that emerged the likes of Google and Facebook and all these goliaths.
“Provenance and authenticity are very important in the traditional art world, so having a public, digital record of works that cannot be changed is going to be really useful.
“The future is that NFTs will be rebranded – the technology will be there but in the background and it’s really important with regard to things like copyright that artists understand where the world is heading.
“At the moment we’re seeing cryptocurrency, AI, blockchain and NFTs all intermingling.
“It’s a really exciting space to be in because it’s the precursor to things that come next.”
Leah’s is an artist creating digital work, prints and now clothes
thinking differently
“Right now, just as in the traditional art world, there are a few artists making a mint in the digital space,” said Leah.
“Others are diversifying their income, but NFTs have significantly changed people’s attitude towards digital art – that it should be respected and people should be paid fairly for it.”
The launch of The Paradise Collection and Leah’s move into fashion, however, has more to do with a desire to keep creating than to find fresh markets for the things she makes.
“As we had a bit of money to invest, I thought we could just do the same old thing or we could do something different,” she said.
“This felt like it was a different iteration of what I’ve been working towards.
“All of my artwork has had a concentration on representation, culture and diversity – fashion has also been a huge part of that because of my history in theatre and costume.
“I’ve also always been drawing fashionable women, so this has been a dream since I was a kid, to be doing something with clothes.”
a learning curve
“A friend of mine in the NFT space – Shreya Bhan – who started her career in fashion said that, when I was ready, we could do something together,” added Leah.
“She’s guided me through it and it’s been fascinating to see the correlation and some similarities with the work I was doing in costume with the pattern cutting elements, use of silhouettes and how fabric falls on the body.
“Lots of people have bought my artwork, but there’s something different in buying an wearing a garment to something that lives on a screen or a wall as a print.
“I feel like my customers are wearing my pieces and that’s quite a responsibility to have, which is why it’s been a long process to fine-tune and curate the collection.
“Designing on fabric is very different from working on an iPad – it’s been a huge learning curve.
“I started off with a budget and had to figure out how to create a diverse line that worked financially but was also an extension of a brand that had only existed as artworks before.
“Now it’s coming into the physical world, how do you represent it and how do I link it back to my art?”
Pink Berry Unisex Shirt, £75 from The Paradise Collection
Leah Sams – The Paradise Collection
Comprising unisex shirts, wrap dresses and tiered dresses, The Paradise Collection features three vibrant prints on cotton as well as colourful designs on a trio of silk scarves.
But, tying in with Leah’s wider brand, there’s more to the pieces than their physical existence.
“Each piece has a chip that I’ve sewn into it, which can be scanned with a phone,” said Leah.
“I hope I will always make sustainable collections and the point of the chips is that people can own the garment on the blockchain, see where it’s come from, what it’s made of and how to care for it.
“But it’s also have a connection to me – the person who’s made it, so that it means more than something you buy from a big brand.
““It’s been a dream since I was a little girl to design my own clothes.
Garments all contain chips that owners can scan for more information, including care instructions
“To be able to launch my own collection of garments, 20 years on, is both surreal and empowering.
“Every aspect of this collection from the colour of each button, to the digital experience that comes with each garment, has been designed with love and care.
“I hope that anyone who wears a Power of Women garment will feel like they are wearing a piece of art.
“I think what’s also important is that I can always update the digital experience any time.
“It feels personal that people can have a connection to me via the Web3 space where The Paradise Collection was born – what I’ve created so far and all the work I’ve done to make that happen.”
Turquoise Chilli Tiered Dress, £95 from The Paradise Collection
an east London creation
“I chose to launch the collection at Grind in Canary Wharf’s Market Halls because it’s where I do a lot of my drawing,” said Leah.
“I have a studio at home on the Isle Of Dogs, but this is where I choose to get away from that.
“Since creating Power Of Women in the Web3 space, I’ve met a few London artists, so we have sketching and coffee gatherings and it felt really right to have our launch party there.
“I also wanted to showcase that there are creators here.
“The Canary Wharf community is enriching and the more we can showcase that, the more we will all benefit from it.
“All of the professional shots for the collection were done at The Vow Studio in Wood Wharf. It was the perfect location to do that and taking everyone for lunch locally after was just lovely.
“There’s something about birthing this collection here because there is an entrepreneurial aspect to doing that – Canary Wharf has a corporate reputation but there’s also a residential side to it that’s more community based.
“Launching here and celebrating all the people who have worked just felt really right.
“I get where the estate’s reputation comes from but I think things have shifted. It’s more of a place to hang around now and it’s very exciting.
“I love the buildings and all of the greenery.
“I have been very unapologetic about my art and I don’t want to be apologetic about my fashion.
“I’ve created pieces that are bold and colourful and I hope people will look at them and thing they’re something a bit different.”
Crab Silk Scarf, £25, from The Paradise Collection
key details – Leah Sams
The Paradise Collection from Power Of Women by Leah Ibrahim Sams is available to buy online with prices starting at £25.
Leah’s other artworks including NFTs can also be viewed and purchased via this link
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
This means members can indulge in everything from spinning to sound baths, HIIT sessions or weightlifting.
Third Space CEO Colin Waggett
unveiling Third Space Wood Wharf
But with the opening of Third Space Wood Wharf club, that offering and capacity has received a massive boost – essentially beating an already unbeatable proposition because access is included with membership of the Canary Wharf club as standard.
Expansive new studios mean Hot Yoga and Reformer Pilates classes are now available at for the first time on the estate.
There’s also a fully equipped training space and a swimming pool at the 15 Water Street location, which is spread over two floors above Tribe hotel and Dishoom.
“When I joined, we had four clubs and three brands – it was abundantly clear that the right one to grow was Third Space, which brought together serious business and lifestyle propositions,” said Colin Waggett, Third Space CEO.
“It had a brilliant name too, so the initial challenge was to bring those four locations, which included the former Reebok Sports Club in Canary Wharf, under the Third Space name.
“Having achieved that by 2017, we started to look at new sites including one near Fenchurch Street and then Islington.
“We were gradually building and we started looking at Wood Wharf in 2018.
“It’s been a long time coming, but that’s reflected in the quality of what we’ve created here.
“We decided that for Canary Wharf and Wood Wharf we would only have one membership so people don’t have to make a choice between the two sites.
“If you buy into one club, you get access to both.
“By doing that, it’s made it easier to get the proposition right at Wood Wharf.”
The new club features a large, well-lit multi-functional training area
the Third Space Wood Wharf proposition
“It provides something different to the main Canary Wharf site – more of a country club feel with the pool and spa,” said Colin
“We’ve also got a massive, multifunctional training space.
“Then, over the last five years Reformer Pilates and Hot Yoga have become ever more popular and that’s why we’ve built those studios.
“The former, especially, is having a big moment and, had we not built the Wood Wharf club, we’d have put facilities into our Canada Square site.
“We have to watch the big trends and change our space allocation in both clubs over time to reflect them.
“Right now that means less cardio activity and fewer cross trainers but more racks for weightlifting and greater space for our mind and body offering with Yoga, Pilates and sound baths.”
Third Space Wood Wharf has a dedicated Hot Yoga studio
growing from experience
Colin knows a thing or two about keeping abreast of developments in the industry.
Having joined Fitness First in 2004 as chief financial officer, he was running the company a year later and presided over its growth from 250 locations in 10 countries to 500 in 25, expanding into the Middle East, south-east Asia and Australia.
Striking out on his own, he founded studio fitness concept Psycle in 2012, which included a branch in Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Place albeit before any trains were running.
While on that journey, he met the owners of Reebok Sports Club, who were acquiring Third Space and ended up joining the company as CEO in 2015.
While the pandemic meant pausing plans for expansion, the brand is now very much back on track with sites in Battersea, Wimbledon and Clapham
“Next year we’ll open three or maybe four clubs – which could make seven in two years – and that’s a lot,” said Colin.
“These are all sites we signed four years ago so we’ve known they were coming and we’ve been preparing for them.
“Our business is property and people. The property side happens very slowly, the design, construction and the rest of it.
“The people side can happen quite quickly – we usually need a team of 50 or 60 people to open a club.
“About half to two thirds of them are already working in one of our clubs.
“It’s all about getting the skills and culture right, which is what we spend time preparing for.”
“It’s always a challenge but that is what we’re here for.
The Reformer Pilates studio features equipment for group sessions
keeping that quality
“Preserving the quality we have at our existing clubs is a complete obsession with new openings,” said Colin.
“Our mantra is we get better as we get bigger – so we work really hard to ensure that’s the case.
“The golden rule when opening a new club is always to promote internally. Our heads of department will be two-thirds internal as well.
“The things we’ve been investing in, knowing these openings have been in the pipeline, are recruitment, training and education.
“We have a significant team of master trainers who are out there recruiting instructors and training them up to the standard we want them to be at.
“We’re in the fortunate position of being able to recruit the best.
“Our Canary Wharf and Islington clubs both have what we call Academy Teams, which are gateway jobs for people looking to become personal trainers.
“Our smaller clubs also help because that network provides career pathways which help us fulfil that mantra of being better.”
Third Space Canary Wharf already has a wealth of facilities including a fully equipped combat area
evolving the Third Space Canary Wharf site
With the Wood Wharf launch well underway, the refurbishment of the Canary Wharf club is itself an ongoing mission.
The space formerly used for The Pearson Room is set to be repurposed as a mind and body space to cater for the upswing in demand for Yoga and sound baths, while the existing studio will likely be filled with more Reformer Pilates machines to accommodate larger classes.
It’s all part of a carefully curated mix that’s designed to give frequent users the best deal possible.
“We’re great value if you come regularly and terrible value if you don’t,” said Colin.
“We don’t have membership contracts. If people want to leave, for whatever reason – life’s got in the way, they’re too busy – then they should leave feeling good about us.
“Our aim is to never let people down, but to recognise that some will cease training.
“One in five of our new members is actually someone returning to us.
“For all the things available to you, our price per day or per visit is extremely good value.
“It’s about an investment in something, a good use of time.
“We’re aimed at people who are prioritising their fitness and want good experiences – members who are trying to get the most out of life in busy London.
“We meet their demands as these change and evolve.
“With a master trainer in charge of each area of fitness, they’re always looking at our programme to see what’s performing, how it can be improved or refreshed – a bit like changing a menu at a restaurant.
“You want to keep your favourites, but you want new attractions too.”
Sound baths are increasingly popular across Third Space’s clubs
new thinking at Third Space
“One of the things we’re doing more of across our clubs is focusing on that whole spa experience with saunas, plunge pools and hydrotherapy,” said Colin.
“At one time it was thought they just felt nice but increasingly there’s a real purpose to spending that time, whether for the physical or mental benefits you get from them.
“Sound baths, for instance, are curiously absorbing and a really nice treat.
“If you’re training at a high intensity, adding in softer programming to a club gives our members greater value.
“The ambition is that one day every one of our clubs will close with a session.
“People can then train in the morning and come back at the end of the day for what’s essentially 45 minutes of meditation – that would be wonderful.
“Wood Wharf itself has quite a different vibe to our other clubs – it’s beautiful to look down on the water and the streets below from the third floor.
“Some people will prefer to train there or just come for specific classes while mainly using Canary Wharf. It could just be where the mood takes them on the day.
“The club generates more capacity for us and, now that it’s open, we’ll be doing more to sell the two offerings together.”
need to know
Club membership at Third Space Canary Wharf, including access to Third Space Wood Wharf currently costs £217 per month.
Group access for the brand’s clubs (excluding Mayfair and Islington) costs £245.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
This is a big problem. In 2022 about 25% of those aged 17-19 were thought to have a mental health disorder (up from one in six in 2021).
Around half of such issues are thought to become established before the age of 14 and about 10% of children aged five to 16 in Great Britain may have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem.
I realise after my interview with Strategia CEO, Stephen Sharp, that comprehending what he and the team are trying to do is tough.
That’s because it requires an unpleasant admission that – despite the backdrop of grim statistics – kids are being failed by what’s currently in place and things seem to be getting worse.
It’s not that the idea of using an AI-powered avatar to help children with their mental health is better than face-to-face human interaction.
It’s that, for many right now there isn’t really a lot of help available – few nets to catch this sort of thing early.
Strategia has create My Friend to help address mental health issues in children
building solutions
“Strategia was set up to create innovative technology in areas such as health, education, sustainability and the environment,” said Stephen.
“I spent about 40 years working in investment banking technology and had a good career in that.
“But I wanted to do something that could give back to society, that would help people in need.
“A colleague of mine who works in Dubai had been talking to a school out there about something completely different but there were some proper horrors that really resonated with him.
“So we started talking about how we could build a solution – an application – that might help kids in school.
“We did some research and found there were lots of text-based things where kids could send questions and get answers.
“But then, the next thing was they were being told they should talk to a psychologist for $150 an hour.
“We decided we didn’t want to go down that path. Instead, we’ve been working with conversational artificial intelligence since January.
“AI is transformational and we’ve got to the point where we’re running a pilot in a number of countries with children talking to our app and getting the right responses.
“It’s built on the back of ChatGPT – as everything is these days – but we’ve created the model in the middle, which controls the input and output. It’s always supportive, passive and acts as a friend.”
My Friend offers children a way to interface with their school through an AI-powered app
branding My Friend
Specifically, My Friend features Kano, an avatar designed to appeal to the app’s audience of eight-to-12-year-olds.
“We’ve gone with a non-gendered super hero teddy bear and his pet dog,” said Stephen.
“We didn’t want there to be any gender or race barriers to using the app or to get involved with political issues in what we’re doing.
“The platform works in partnership with a child’s school. Staff can monitor the conversations a child has with it so, if a kid is being naughty in class, for example, they might be able to see why.
“It’s important, of course, that the children know this up front – that they’re aware their issues can be addressed.
“The platform forms a neutral, objective interface between the child and the school and removes any bias.
“It’s also designed to remove any concern a child might have about talking to an adult if they have a problem.
“With My Friend, they’re talking to a character who’s on their wavelength.
“It’s not just communicating about their challenges either – during testing, children have asked Kano about dinosaurs, for example, and the platform can give them information like this too.
“At present the application is browser-based, but we’re working on turning it into an app which could be accessed via the iPads kids are routinely given.
“Today there are 740million children in primary schools – if we help only 0.01%, that’s beginning to change the way people think.”
Much has been written about the potential fragility of AI – it’s capacity to simply make up plausible-sounding facts and present them as truth in what the tech community charmingly refer to as “hallucinations”.
But the Strategia is well aware of the potential pitfalls and believes it has created enough safeguards and guide rails to prevent My Friend pushing out nonsense.
Mental health issues can start early in childhood
safeguarding My Friend’s users
“We’ve been really prescriptive about the responses it gives,” said Stephen.
“If a kid wants help, the app will seek to understand what the problem is and present a congenial approach to the conversation.
“Everything we’ve seen it produce has been accurate – we’ve asked it all kinds of nasty things, including whether it will help build a bomb and we’ve always had the right responses.
“In that case, it simply told me it was illegal and changed the subject.
“We’re precise in what we do, so our first question was how we get the technology to stay honest and protect the children using it.”
My Friend is still at the testing phase so Stephen and the team don’t yet have all the answers.
They’re still working on how schools will use the platform, which might see conversations colour-coded to help organisations identify potential problems – but feedback has been very positive.
Stephen was keen to stress that no personal data on the children is collected by Strategia, with only the schools able to see who is talking to Kano.
Based at Level39 since October, the team is keen to collaborate locally as the project unfolds.
tacking a range of issues with My Friend
“We’re trying to build something that can address a whole spectrum of problems children face,” said Stephen.
“I live in a small village in Buckinghamshire and, until I spoke to a local school, didn’t realise the poverty in what I thought was an affluent area.
“There, a single parent might have three jobs – their child might have to go to school alone, come back alone and cook their own tea.
“If that’s a seven-year-old, for example, that neglect is frightening.
“For children everyday life can be a problem and we want to help.
“If we save one life by doing this, it will be worthwhile.”
key details
You can find out more about Strategia Data Sciences and My Friend via the company’s website as it continues to develop and trial the technology.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Enter Skuna Boats and Wharf Life’s second prize draw for a chance to win an exclusive Hot Tub Boat or BBQ Boat hire experience in Canary Wharf, worth more than £300.
Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, Skuna Boats offer the perfect blend of luxury and excitement.
Don’t let this opportunity sail away – enter now for a chance to create lifelong memories with your loved ones..
The winner can choose from either a Hot Tub Boat experience for up to seven people lasting 75 minutes, or a BBQ Boat Experience for up to 10 people lasting 100 minutes – both worth over £300.
Booking will be by arrangement with Skuna Boats.
The winner will be selected by Wharf Life and contacted on June 26, 2024.
There is no cash alternative and the editor’s decision is final.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
“It’s pretty simple,” said James Robson, in answer to why the trio behind runaway central London success, Fallow, have opened Roe in Canary Wharf.
“The view and the terrace at One Park Drive are stunning.
“You don’t get many terraces like this, with the sun catching it, from about 11am until late evening.
“We wanted to put a world class restaurant in a world class building.”
James is one third of a partnership that has seen much success in recent years.
Together with chefs Will Murray and Jack Croft, he opened nose-to-tail restaurant Fallow in St James, just down from Piccadilly Circus in 2021 to much acclaim and popularity.
Building on that success, they opened Fowl, a beak-to-feet chicken shop with a similar sustainable ethos, nearby.
First of all, it’s big – about double Fallow’s size and in east London rather than the city centre.
It’s tucked back off Water Street and opens out above Harbour Quay Gardens’ Boardwalk.
There’s an open kitchen, much marble, fixtures made of rebar, golden metalwork and a 3D printed plant-based sculpture, intended to recall the structure of a coral.
James Robson, one of the trio behind Roe restaurant in Canary Wharf
Building big at Roe
“It’s huge, it’s a beast – it’s one of the largest independent restaurants I’m aware of,” said James, himself no stranger to east London, having been born in Bow.
“We don’t know where the journey will go yet.
“It will be a fantastic place to come.
“We’ve got about 100 team members and I expect to end up with between 200 and 300 eventually.
“We’re aiming to cater for 400-600 customers a day, and that could end up being 1,000 to 2,000 a day.
“We’re very organic in our approach to things like that.”
Capable of anything from 250 diners to 500 depending on configuration, Roe is the result of extensive thought and planning.
“Opening Fallow was wonderful, but it was intense – it was during lockdown and it was a rush,” said James.
“We had to get it open and everyone came together to make it happen.
“With this one, we’ve had time on our hands to get even more of the details right, so I feel pretty proud sitting here right now.”
Roe’s interior features a large 3D printed, plant-based sculpture intended to recall the structure of a coral
Interior features
The team have transformed a spare concrete box, working with 30 contractors to deliver a finished restaurant.
The installation includes around 16 metres of aeroponic and hydroponic vertical farm that is already being used to grow ingredients for dishes and cocktails.
“The way I put it is that we’ll have about 300 plants growing at any one time, and we’ll be producing about £1,000 to £1,500 worth of produce a month – although this wouldn’t last more than a week with us,” said James.
“What it does do is engage the team, some of whom will never have grown a vegetable in their lives.
“They come to work with us and this way, they get to understand those ingredients, they see things grow, they taste them straight from the vine and that does wonders for the team.
“That comes across in the business and hopefully this comes across to the customer. For me it’s about the team engaging with nature – the customers love it too.
“We’re currently growing padron peppers, lemon verbena, thyme, basil and strawberries.”
Maitake Cornish pasty with walnut ketchup, £9 at Roe
What’s on the menu at Roe?
Vital, of course, to Roe’s reception will be its food, which comes with a focus on sharing dishes served with a side of sustainability.
Snacks include breaded mushooms, charcuterie and oysters, while small plates feature sea bream tartare, cuttlefish fried toast and lamb ribs. These range from £4-£21 and £9-£16 respectively.
Skewers of white cabbage, venison, octopus and rare breed pork are available with prices ranging from £9-£13. Flatbreads come with either scallops, snail vindaloo or pumpkin and cost £10-£16.
Large plates include a venison and dairy cow burger, flamed siracha mussels and a baked potato, with prices from £14-£16 and there are also steaks from £26-£36 or at £11 per 100g.
Feasting options for two or more include seafood, a mixed grill or Jacob’s ladder ribs for £75, £52 or £42 respectively.
It’s fair to say that taking the guidance of the waiting staff on what and how much to order is advised.
Helmed by head chef Jon Bowring – who, like founders Will and Jack, used to work at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – the kitchen is a hive of activity at Roe.
A snail vindaloo flatbread with mint yoghurt and coriander, £11 at Roe
Full flavour
“Flavour is a massive thing for us,” said James.
“We’re not your average restaurant – it’s very intense, quality products served by a team that is relaxed, casual and happy – not pretentious in any way.
“People can expect great food. I’d really recommend people come and try us – our menu is so diverse.
“It might be vindaloo flatbread with snails, our amazing breaded mushrooms, a fantastic Sunday lunch or our take on Fruits de Mer, which is nothing like the traditional version.
“What you will not get here is the mundane, a light salad, just chicken or just beef – you will get flavour.
“Personally I like to order a snack, a flatbread, some skewers and our banana dessert, which is one of the best I’ve ever tried.
“For a cocktail, my favourite is the Carrot Gimlet with No. 3 Gin – which divides people. We use sand carrots for the cordial that give it a lovely flavour.”
Breaded mushrooms with kombu and garlic mayonnaise, £7 at Roe
Drinks, design and energy
Many of the drinks at the bar feature ingredients from Roe’s vertical farm.
Its signature drinks are all priced at £12 and include a Lemon Verbena Swizzle with vodka and lime and an Apple Sour with butterfuly sorrel, Buffalo Trace, green apple and egg white.
While food, drink and interior design all contribute to success in the restaurant industry, James said the sum of those parts was the important equation to consider.
“A world-class restaurant is a combination of things,” he said.
“If we can be so bold – and we’re not there yet – it’s design and it’s people.
“There’s the team and the customers. It’s food and drink too. All those things together lead to energy, positivity and happiness.
“I’ve seen places that just have amazing service or just have amazing food or just have amazing design fail – but I’ve never seen a restaurant with that good energy go bust.
Cuttlefish fried toast with pork skin, sesame and chilli jam, £11 at Roe
“We’re here to give people a great experience and we’ll do all we can to do this in a timely manner.
“If you want to get in and out really quickly, we may not be the one for you.
“We work on atmosphere, on focus and on flavour.
“A lot of business is done at restaurants nowadays, so I would say we’re the place for a long lunch.”
Raring to go
“We’ve engaged with the neighbours a lot, which has been nice and they’ve been supportive and come back,” said James
“It feels like the start of the journey now.
“I don’t call this Canary Wharf, I call it Wood Wharf, east London.
“There’s a certain demographic that only know the estate for its tall financial towers, but the way it is now is that there are more £1,000 trainers and £200 T-shirts here than there are suits.
Roe features a vertical farm, allowing staff to grow produce in the restaurant
“It’s a wonderful environment – it’s digital lifestylers and Instagrammers – there’s a really good energy to it.
“I think that message is lost when you just say ‘Canary Wharf’.
“It’s about getting across that there are thousands of residents here – not just people working in financial services.
“I would say the demographic we’re after is about 80% non-financial.
“Our main business is our neighbours, followed by destinational foodies, which is why the Elizabeth Line and Jubilee line are fantastic for us.
“We’re not the norm for this area. We bring another level of energy, and hopefully a level of flavour and excitement here.”
Roe boast many dining areas including this long, semi-private table
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Location is often put forward as the single most important thing to consider when purchasing a property.
But what does this really mean in London?
In a capital as vast and diverse as ours, crucial to a buyer’s decision will be a home’s proximity to different modes of public transport, enabling rapid access to all the city has to offer.
Here, NHG Homes is currently offering a collection of 60 homes for sale on a shared ownership basis – nothing especially remarkable in that.
However, these properties are located in a transport sweet spot.
Not only are they two minutes from North Acton Tube station, offering Central line services across the city, they’re also a little over 10 minutes’ walk from Acton Main Line Station.
A show home interior at the development
That means access to the Elizabeth Line and with it fast connectivity across the capital.
From there, it’s 12 minutes to Tottenham Court Road for Soho and Oxford Street, 21 minutes to Heathrow Airport or 25 minutes all the way over to Canary Wharf in east London.
This promises a commute for Wharfers of less than 40 minutes door-to-door – enviable compared to many other areas.
Prices for the one and two-bedroom homes start at £108,750 and £121,250 respectively for 25% based on full market values of £435,000 and £485,000.
The entry level property could be purchased with a deposit of less than £5,500.
So what can buyers expect from The Perfume Factory apartments?
NHG Homes’ properties feature open-plan layouts with wood-effect floors and mirrored fitted wardrobes.
Buyers will also get private balconies and fitted kitchens with energy fitted Bosch appliances.
These energy-efficient machines fit neatly into a wider focus on sustainability with the scheme also boasting cycle storage and communal spaces powered by the integrated solar panels.
Apartments start at £108,750 for a 25% share in a one-bedroom home
Purchasers will also enjoy access to landscaped, communal gardens on-site.
NHG Homes’ head of marketing and digital, Amie Triphook Cole, said: “North Acton is an up-and-coming part of London, which is already attracting many first-time buyers from all over the capital – including places like Canary Wharf – who are looking for a work life balance.
“The area is set to experience continued growth in the coming years, making this a great time to purchase.
“Homes at The Perfume Factory offer both comfort and practicality with high quality interiors, superb transport connections via the Elizabeth Line and Central line, and plenty of local amenities – ideal for first-time buyers looking to make the city their home.”
Local transport links might offer residents the option of rapidly travelling to multiple locations around London, but Acton has many attractions of its own too.
These include an array of local cafes, bars and restaurants such as the award-winning Stones Fish And Chips.
A little further afield, Westfield London and Ealing Broadway offer a wealth of places to eat, drink and shop.
There are also many green spaces to explore locally including North Acton playing fields, The Grand Union Canal and Pitschinger Park – home to rose gardens.
Why not look west when hunting for a way to get on the ladder?
NHG Homes is currently offering £2,000 contribution towards moving in on the first 10 homes reserved by May 31, 2024
key details
NHG Homes is currently selling one and two-bedroom properties at The Perfume Factory in North Acton on a shared ownership basis.
Prices start at £108,750 and £121,250, respectively for 25%, both available with a 5% deposit.
Service charge rates are estimated at around £3.80 per sq ft. Rent is paid on the un-owned portion of the property.
NHG Homes is currently offering £2,000 contribution towards moving in on the first 10 homes reserved by May 31, 2024
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Canary Wharf is going through a period of renewal.
Often quite quietly, buildings on the estate are being refurbished to a greater or lesser degree – taking infrastructure that’s anything up to 30-plus years old and giving it a serious rethink to meet the demands of corporate tenants today.
Hard to imagine, perhaps, but large sections of the estate were designed and conceived before the internet was a thing.
While work on the likes of 25 Cabot Square and near neighbour One Cabot Square might have gone largely unnoticed – Credit Suisse employees barely getting to enjoy the renovation before the bank’s distressed sale to UBS meant relocation to the City – other projects have been more obvious.
The scaffolding has been up on Citi’s tower for some time and those arriving in Canary Wharf via the Elizabeth Line will likely have clocked 25 North Colonnade’s transformation into Cargo – complete with Market Hall’s street food traders and bars on its lower floors.
Arguably the most prominent project on the estate so far, has been the complete stripping back and refitting of 30 South Colonnade.
The building now features entrances on two different levels for easier access – seen here in CGI
One of the original Canary Wharf buildings completed in 1991, for years its orange share price ticker greeted commuters arriving on the Jubilee line while it was home to Thompson Reuters.
It was bought by Quadrant Estates and Oaktree Capital Management in 2019 and, with the completion of the project to update it, one of the most recognisable buildings in Canary Wharf is now ready to embark on a fresh adventure.
Renamed YY London after its distinctive cladding, reportedly its top four floors are set to become home to the UK’s most valuable fintech company, Revolut.
The biggest success to come out of Canary Wharf Group’s Level39 will not have landed far from its One Canada Square origins.
But what will its staff and other future tenants be getting from this reinvented chunk of real estate?
“It’s a people-centred design, which will know where occupants are and will respond to them,” said Yohance Harper, partner at Quadrant.
“From the community point of view, the downstairs reception lets you link into a space where you can have coffee, be comfortable and come and sit, away from the office.
The building offers a range of floorplates with various finishes available
“It also gives you planned interaction with other floors and colleagues, which is always great.
“The LED display as you come in is inspired by the Reuters news ticker, but also connects to the water, nature and the weather outside – so visitors will always have a varied experience.
“The systems have all been designed to tie together to make the building a really comfortable environment to work in.
“People are coming back to the office now and they want a Grade A space – this building addresses that really well.”
A tour reveals an attractive package for firms considering a move. Underfoot there are floors tiled in outsize terrazzo, a living tree in the multi-level reception area and access in direct from the Tube exit for the first time.
The building’s curious central void has been filled in housing lifts and lobbies with sustainable walnut flooring and a central staircase that’s been deliberately exposed and lit to encourage people to walk between levels rather than take the lifts.
In fact, there’s a focus on wellness throughout with antibacterial bannisters, UV filtration systems and plenty of cycle storage that comes complete with changing facilities and showers.
Nearly all floors also have outdoor space, with a communal event space and terrace on the roof that will host wellness classes from Third Space once a quarter.
Tristram Gethin of Quadrant Estates
Gone are the small square windows and white marble cladding of the original design.
YY is all about big, bold glazing, plants draping down its exterior and bathing in healthy light inside and out despite being at work.
“We had a year before the lease expired when we bought the building to work out a scheme for it,” said Tristram Gethin, founding partner at Quadrant.
“We brought in architects Buckley Gray Yeoman who have done some stunning refurbishment work and they came up with what you see today.
“We took off the top two floors and added three new ones, relocating the core services into what had been the atrium.
“Outside space was a key requirement and we’ve added that on every level except the 12th floor and also added an incredible terrace on the top.
“Today we have a 415,000sq ft building ranged over 14 levels and we’re extremely proud of the space we’ve created – it’s fantastic.
The top four floors of the building will reportedly house challenger bank Revolut
“It’s a complete change of design and feel for a building in Canary Wharf and it’s been really well received by everyone whether that’s workers in the offices or residents.”
With two restaurants and a cafe also set to take space in the building, those lamenting the loss of All Bar One and The Slug And Lettuce have plenty to look forward to.
While the identity of the future hospitality offerings remains under wraps, there’s recognition that adding to the mix on the estate is all part of what makes it an increasingly attractive proposition for companies.
“In the City, we’ve seen a huge take-up and the supply of Grade A office space is limited,” said Tristram.
“Canary Wharf still offers very good value for money compared with the West End where you’re looking of rents at £120-£200 per sq ft.
“In the City, new Grade A office space is going to have to be £85-£100 and so a new development here makes sense.
Most floors have outdoor space including one with a vast wraparound terrace
“For us, the rents are around £55-£65 – exceptionally good value.
“YY London is slap-bang in the middle of Canary Wharf with the DLR and the Jubilee stations so close – it couldn’t be more central.
“The Elizabeth Line is only a two-minute walk away.
“I’m a great believer in the Wharf. A mixed-use destination is much more attractive to people coming in and that’s what it’s become.
“There are more people here now than ever before and it’s continuing to grow all the time.
“It’s quite a young population living here too, which is also good.
“I think the Wharf has been reinventing itself and many people have not been so aware of that.
“Some remember only the estate as it was 15 or 20 years ago and see a very changed place when they visit now.
“I think Canary Wharf Group is doing a fantastic job promoting the area, but that needs to continue so that people become more aware of what it has to offer.”
One of those attractions is sustainability – something the YY London project has at its heart. It’s an all electric building and benefits from being a refurbishment rather than a completely new venture.
Yohance Harper of Quadrant Estates
Yohance said: “We’ve reused and maintained a lot of the main structure by really going into great detail with the design team.
“Buildings are one of the major contributors to carbon emissions around the world and that’s helped us reduce our impact on the environment.
“Then our tenants’ presence inside will be key.
“YY London responds to that in every way whether it’s the lights in the lifts to the air temperature and lighting in a meeting room that’s been booked.
“All these things help the building to be more efficient in terms of energy.
“We feel all this is a very solid statement in the next step of development in this area and it’s going to be very exciting to see what else it inspires.”
All electric, YY London is targeting an impressive array of sustainability measures including BREEAM Outstanding with reduced water consumption, smart systems, low energy lighting, central heat pumps and a great deal more.
With Canary Wharf Group’s initiative to bring a wealth of biodiversity to Middle Dock in partnership with the Eden Project, right outside YY, there are, perhaps, no greener locations to admire the coming flora and fauna.
But make no mistake, Quadrant and Oaktree’s scheme is certainly not austere or uncomfortable.
From its richly planted roof terrace to the numerous partnerships it intends to enter into with local businesses, life at YY London should be rich, from dry cleaning to getting your bike fixed.
This place has it all.
The top floor of YY London features communal spaces including an outdoor terrace
key details
Space at YY London is available now, with tours available to interested parties.
Floorplates of 30,000sq ft or more are available on levels one through nine at present.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Having served the Canary Wharf estate for 21 years, the East Wintergarden is no more.
Well, not exactly. The exaggerated steel and glass barrel vault of the events venue’s roof will continue to preside over functions – but new operator Broadwick has given the place a makeover.
The Pelligon – renamed for the building’s architect, Cesar Pelli – has seen its original interior replaced with a more functional, blank canvas – leaving clients free to dress and adapt the space to their needs.
Gone is the zig-zag marble floor, the warm brown panelling, the glass balustrades and Cesar’s trademark stainless steel.
Instead Broadwick has gone for white cladding and a practical dark rubber underfoot with a lighting rig tastefully sprayed in unobtrusive matte black.
“Canary Wharf Group is quite keen on developing culture on the estate and, now we’ve moved our office to Wood Wharf and launched Broadwick Studio underneath, this looked like a good opportunity to bring the East Wintergarden into the 21st century,” said Simon Tracey, group CEO at Broadwick, during a sneak peek of the venue this month.
“We’ve gone for a very simple palette, trying to make it as neutral and hybrid as possible, that is our strategy.
The interior of the venue has been given a neutral makeover with new spiral staircases so guests can easily access the mezzanine level – image Spaces And Stories
“You could do literally anything in this space and we’ve installed state-of-the-art production facilities to make that as easy as possible.
“What we try to do is to imagine making events simple for organisers – so The Pelligon has got great access and is a totally blank canvas space, allowing brands to put their stamp on the place – it’s very exciting.
“We’ve done three things to the building itself.
“We’ve simplified the colour scheme and brought it up to date.
“We’ve improved the flow of the venue – the mezzanine used only to be accessible from outside the main hall, so we’ve put in two staircases and we’re also now using the front doors as the front doors.
“Then finally, we’ve updated the back of house facilities including extending the kitchen facilities, which were previously too small to cater for the kind of events people wanted to do here.
“We’ve given it everything it needs to operate as a modern day venue with a vibrant feel.”
Following its rebirth as The Pelligon, Wharfers can expect a number of public events as well as private affairs – delivering a bit of a cultural boost to the southern edge of the estate.
“The original East Wintergarden was designed as a utility space for Canary Wharf, but I think even they would say it’s a fantastic location in need of updating,” said Simon.
The mezzanine level can now be accessed from the main hall – image Spaces And Stories
“What they were interested in, when talking to us, was preserving it as an amazing space for conferences and weddings, but also attracting brand experiences and launches.
“We’ll also be working to our skill-set in terms of music and consumer-led awards ceremonies, jazz festivals and gigs.
“Now the space is more of a blank canvas – it opens it up and Canary Wharf is turning into a place where people don’t just come to work, but also to visit, to live and play.
“We’re very much part of that journey.
“Because of the type of business Broadwick is, when people come to our offices, they are routinely amazed by what Canary Wharf has become.
“From a predominantly financial business district, it’s changed into something entirely different and a thriving residential area.
“People need culture and – Broadwick believes that and Canary Wharf Group believes it. Collectively we can bring that to the estate.”
Located minutes from the main Jubilee line exit and a short walk from Canary Wharf’s Elizabeth Line station, The Pelligon is well placed for incoming audiences as well as local businesses who may wish to use the waterside venue for their own events.
It’s a venue Broadwick is keen to see thrive, having relocated its operation to the Wharf while British Land works on updating Printworks London at Canada Water – part of a 12-year regeneration of 53 acres on the other side of the river.
But the completion of that project – expected in 2027 – won’t see Broadwick abandon the Wharf.
“We will be moving our entertainment team back there, because it will once again become a big venue – but we’ll be retaining staff here,” said Simon.
“We have a lot of venues across east London and there seem to be a lot of opportunities in this part of the capital.
“Broadwick has its heritage in festivals and we’re still in that world, but those events can be very up and down.
“One wet date and it takes the business a couple of years to recover.
“What running venues does is enable you both to control the weather and to finesse what it is you’re doing in those places every single week.
“With annual festivals you have a debrief, you learn things, but it takes an entire year to put them into practice.
“With a venue, we can sit down right away and analyse what went well and what didn’t. Did we have enough bars?
“Were there enough toilets? What was the customer experience like?
“Were the staffing numbers right? What was the feedback on socials?
The Pelligon dressed for an event – image Spaces And Stories
“We’re fanatical about that process and we can react immediately.
“What’s most important for Broadwick is creating amazing experiences for people and running venues allows us to do that better.
“We’re also a property development company at heart.
“We’ll look at opportunities, develop spaces, turn them into events and leisure venues – then put our own content in and take them to market.
“We’re always interested in talking to as many people as possible because we’re not big enough on our own to activate all our venues.
“Fortunately there’s a whole world of brands, corporates, film and TV companies who we love to work with.
“Our model is to build these spaces and develop them so they are as good as they can be. Then we’ll back them by using them ourselves and work with other people as well.”
Into that mix drops The Pelligon.
But what will Broadwick’s clients do with it?
key details
The Pelligon is now available for event bookings including conferences, brand launches, performances and weddings.
The venue can accommodate up to 1,000 guests depending on the set-up and extends to some 900sq m of space.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
One of the criticisms levelled at regenerated parts of London is that they can lack atmosphere.
Crisply manicured parks might look great as the promise of “public realm” is dangled before planning officials.
But the Isle Of Dogs is littered with odd chunks of land that don’t really do anything. Perhaps there’s a tiny kids playground, a few benches, a fountain or a sculpture.
So it was with a paved area of dockside waterfront on the corner adjacent to Sierra Quebec Bravo (a rebrand from the rather unimaginative South Quay Building) and South Quay Plaza’s Hampton Tower.
Despite its impressive views over West India South Dock towards Canary Wharf and Wood Wharf, this neatly finished open space had no obvious function – other than as a thoroughfare for pedestrians enjoying a waterside walk east, before diverting down to Marsh Wall to cross the Millwall Cutting bridge.
Canary Garden’s Oscar Tang
Enter Canary Garden founder Oscar Tang, local resident and entrepreneur.
“My wife Nadine and I live in one of the towers at South Quay Plaza and one of the things we’ve observed is that people have started to move in after the pandemic and the demographic is ever-changing,” he said.
“There are younger people from every corner of the world coming to the Island, but we’ve also found there are not many activities going on.
“The developers have built this infrastructure for a high density of residents, but not necessarily the amenities – there’s not much feeling of community.
“That’s why we thought it would be good to do something.”
Thus Canary Garden was born, a project to inject some life into an underused patch of land that’s just about to get into its stride.
Part cafe, part farm shop, part florist and part street food market, Oscar’s vision has arrived in the form of a series of greenhouse-like structures and wooden kiosks that will offer an array of attractions.
“We thought this place was really under-used and it could be much more fun – that’s where it all started,” he said.
“During Christmas we started to test out a few things to see what the neighbourhood was interested in and what people wanted.
“The immediate local area can be awfully boring at weekends – even the Pret is closed on Saturday and Sunday or after 4pm or 5pm on weekdays.
“We wanted to make this somewhere people could bring their family for a chilled out session and to enjoy a bit of sunshine, hopefully.
Florafind sells bouquets and offers floristry workshops
“We often go out to the countryside for a bit of freshness, a change of mood from the concrete city.
“That’s what we wanted to create here at Canary Garden.
“It’s based on wooden structures because we really wanted to build this as a reflection of nature.
“One of the disadvantages of living in an apartment in a city is that you don’t have a back yard and nowhere outdoors to spend time.
“At Hampton Tower there are 56 storeys, 2,000 people living on-site, but there is not much around the area – why not create something like a backyard?
“The idea is not too complicated.”
Already in place is a cafe, with indoor seating spread through three greenhouse-like structures.
Also up and running is Florafind, a florist offering bouquets and workshops.
Then there are a series of pine food kiosks which, from this month, will offer an array of culinary delights.
“We will have five food traders in total,” said Oscar.
“We’ve picked them from all across London and have tried to create a theme – at the moment the focus will be on oriental dishes.
“Each will celebrate a different cooking technique or niche dish.
“The first has a focus on the marination of ingredients, for example.
“The second will serve a particular type of noodles from the Chinese city of Suzhou, which is close to Shanghai.
“It’s a very traditional soup dish with one kind of noodle, two kinds of base, three kinds of topping.
Richly flavoured vegetarian noodles from Lu at Canary Garden
“The third will be Hong Kong street food, cooked by a lovely couple who graduated a few years ago and started their own business to bring the younger generation’s understanding of the cuisine there over to the UK.
“Then, the fourth will be a halal barbecue – who doesn’t like that over the summer with a bit of drink?
“Finally, we will also have a rotating trailer spot, where we’ll have guest traders when we sense there is a seasonal thing people might want.
“The next will be serving Malaysian cuisine with laksa on offer.”
With matcha brownies at the cafe, already a firm favourite, readers could be forgiven for thinking that Canary Garden is simply a food hall with great views and plenty of outdoor space.
But Oscar’s vision for the site is wider.
“We also intend to host other workshops and events including afternoon teas,” said Oscar.
“We’re already in touch with other organisers to see what we can include.
“That might include calligraphy, watercolour painting and aromatherapy.
“We’re also looking at theoretical beekeeping without the insects.
“We’re also working in partnership with the Wutian Martial Art Institute, which is based around the corner, so when the weather is warmer their kids can come and enjoy the outdoor space and do some activities.”
While separate entities, recent arrival Theatreship and forthcoming arrival Artship, will be neighbours to Canary Garden – something Oscar believes fits well with what it offers.
“We have collaborated and for me, I call it toothbrush and toothpaste – two things that go together very well,” he said. “It works perfectly for their audiences.”
key details
Canary Garden’s cafe is currently open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am-5.30pm. Food stalls are open from noon-8pm.
Group workshops at Florafind take place on Saturdays and Wednesdays and cost £90 per person for two hours.
Times vary and refreshments are included. Children’s workshops are available too and start at £55.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
