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Amazing Grace brings live music, food and drink to Canary Wharf

K&G Hospitality set to open brand’s second on the lower levels of 12 Bank Street on Eden Dock

12 Bank Street in Canary Wharf will soon be home to Amazing Grace - image by K&G Hospitality
12 Bank Street in Canary Wharf will soon be home to Amazing Grace – image by K&G Hospitality

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When K&G Hospitality co-founders Vineet Kalra and Ricardo Guimaraes looked at the empty space on the ground floor of 12 Bank Street in Canary Wharf, they saw possibility.  

Having found success with Amazing Grace – a 17th century church a few doors down from London Bridge station that they’ve transformed into a thriving live music venue, bar and restaurant – the pair were on the lookout for a place that could be the next iteration of that brand.

Inside Japanese architect Jun Aoki’s rippling silver pavilion on Eden Dock, they found it and, on October 24, 2025, will open as one of three new offerings set to bring the building to life. 

Its top floors will be taken by opulent hotel brand House Of Gods, while Broadwick’s Landing Canary Wharf will offer serious square footage and flexibility for events.

But the ground floor will be something altogether different – a powerful blend of free live performances, Asian flavours and cocktails.

An artist's impression of the venue's covered terrace - image by K&G Hospitality
An artist’s impression of the venue’s covered terrace – image by K&G Hospitality

“Guests will enter Amazing Grace Canary Wharf via the middle of the three entrances to 12 Bank Street,” said Ricardo, who cut his teeth in hospitality during a spell at massive hotels in New York, eventually meeting Vineet when they both worked at co-living startup, The Collective.

“Inside we’ve taken some inspiration from the church – we’ll have arches behind the stages. The walls will be blue and cream with lots of photographs of artists who have played at Amazing Grace. 

“There will also be a DJ booth and guests can watch the show at ground level or from the mezzanine. We also have a covered terrace for people to enjoy year-round.

“For the food, we have our executive chef Lucien Green, who’s been working with us for the past two years and was responsible for training the chefs at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen project. 

“The menu will be Asian-influenced, but we’ll also be offering bar food including burgers and wings. We tend to get a lot of larger groups so we’ll also have big platters to share.

“At the bar we’ll have a classic cocktail list with some more fun modern creations and we’ll stock about 20 or 30 wines from all over the world.

“We’ll have Prosecco, of course, because everybody loves it, as well as English sparking wine and Champagne. For parties and events we can also offer canapés.”

K&G co-founder Ricardo Guimaraes always wanted to own his own live music venue - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
K&G co-founder Ricardo Guimaraes always wanted to own his own live music venue – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

free live music at Amazing Grace

 Central to Amazing Grace’s proposition, however, is its rolling programme of free live entertainment – a first for the Wharf in terms of regularity and diversity of programming.

“Each day will be different,” said Vineet, who worked in accountancy before making the move into hospitality, overseeing hotels in Europe.

“On Monday we’ll have acoustic acts, Tuesdays will be cabaret night, Wednesdays will be live band karaoke – so guests can go on stage and sing with the band.

“That’s become super-popular at London Bridge.

“Then on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we’ll have more acoustic acts, party bands and DJs into the early hours.

“We have a late licence until 3am and, while we might not be open that long when we start out, we’re hoping to get there.

“We just want people to think of Amazing Grace in Canary Wharf as a fun place to be. Opening here will be a proud moment for both of us and this is a flagship location.”

The venue will also be offering The F*cking Fabulous Brunch, which promises “wild energy and unforgettable vibes” from 2pm-6pm on Saturdays.

Diners can expect two courses and 90 minutes of bottomless drinks for £65 per person with dancing, live entertainers, musicians and DJs. 


An artist's impression of the main stage at Amazing Grace in Canary Wharf - image by K&G Hospitality
An artist’s impression of the main stage at Amazing Grace in Canary Wharf – image by K&G Hospitality

different things to different people

The design of the new venue, which has a total capacity of 450 people, has flexibility hard-wired into its structure.

The mezzanine level boasts a separate kitchen so it can operate as a standalone events space without conflicting with normal service. 

The main space tapers away toward the back creating quieter areas for dining and catch-ups and the terrace directly overlooking the dock promises further sanctuary or the possibility of pop-up semi-outdoor performances.

There’s a sense Amazing Grace could be many different things to different people all at the same time or a single blockbuster space depending on what’s happening on its stage. 

“Very early in my career, I did an internship at The Sheraton in New York – the hotel had 1,700 bedrooms, five bars and more than 100,000sq ft of event space,” said Ricardo.

“Simon and Garfunkel were doing gigs downstairs – there were always different things going on the whole time.

“I love music – I used to go to Ronnie Scott’s when I was young, and to the Blue Note in New York – I always wanted to have my own venue, something similar to those places but with its own identity and that’s Amazing Grace.”

K&G co-founder Vineet Kalra - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
K&G co-founder Vineet Kalra – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

entertainment at Amazing Grace

Vineet added: “We really started as a live music venue and then worked out what was popular.

“With Friday or Saturday nights, we programme something internally and work with third parties to run the other nights for us.

“Essentially, we’re a multifunctional space that’s very flexible.

“People might come for the food and stay for the music, or the other way around.

“We’ve become known for our projections behind the acts and we’ll definitely be bringing those to Canary Wharf.”

K&G is also working on another project within one stop of the estate.

Vineet and Ricardo have teamed up with Meantime to open a new taproom on Greenwich Peninsula in the spaces once occupied by Craft restaurant.

Following its takeover by Asahi, The Dial aims to give the brand a fresh presence in its birth borough following the closure of its original brewery.

“It’s going to be a taproom, micro brewery and a sports bar and event space,” said Vineet. “Split over three floors, it’s right outside North Greenwich station.”

More on that when it opens…

The venue's mezzanine space will have its own kitchen facility to cater for private hire bookings - image by K&G Hospitality
The venue’s mezzanine space will have its own kitchen facility to cater for private hire bookings – image by K&G Hospitality

key details: Amazing Grace Canary Wharf

Amazing Grace’s Canary Wharf live music bar and restaurant is set to officially open its doors on October 24, 2025, at 12 Bank Street.

Find out more about the venue here

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Landing Canary Wharf to offer flexible space at 12 Bank Street

Broadwick’s latest east London events venue will be at the core of the soon-to-launch building

The finishing touches are currently underway at 12 Bank Street, set to open this autumn - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
The finishing touches are currently underway at 12 Bank Street, set to open this autumn – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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At the heart of Canary Wharf sits a building like no other.

The rippling sheen of 12 Bank Street’s cladding sets it apart – a finish created by Japanese architect Jun Aoki as a response to the waters of Eden Dock on which it sits.

It’s a structure cloaked in intrigue, its terraces and windows partially concealed by its own design.

Soon, however, 12 Bank Street will come to life. 

The building’s lower level will house bar restaurant and live music venue, Amazing Grace, as it expands east – riding the success of its converted church in London Bridge.

The building’s upper levels will be taken by maximalist hotel chain House Of Gods as it branches out from Scotland.

But perhaps the most intriguing component will be the filling in the sandwich – newly minted events venue, Landing Canary Wharf.

The space has been taken by Wood Wharf-based Broadwick, which also operates The Pelligon and Broadwick Studio on the estate. 

While both of these offer almost completely blank canvases to organisers, Landing Canary Wharf will serve a different need.

Broadwick CEO, Simon Tracey - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Broadwick CEO, Simon Tracey – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

inspired by success in the City

“We’ve named it to reflect the success of our Landing Forty Two venue at The Leadenhall Building in the City,” said Simon Tracey, CEO of Broadwick.

“We opened it 10 years ago and it really answered a need for high-end corporate functions, product launches and brand events.

“We think that’s what Landing Canary Wharf will do as well.

“There are a multitude of big organisations based here, many with their own event spaces, so it was important that we designed something to not only match what they have, but eclipse anything they can do in their own buildings. 

“The Wharf’s amazing transport infrastructure also means the venue will service a much wider area and we’re expecting to attract corporates and brands from across London and beyond.”

When it launches in November, 2025, the venue will be able to handle events with up to 450 guests in surroundings that will be both adaptable and flush with facilities. 

Landing Canary Wharf is currently under construction - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Landing Canary Wharf is currently under construction – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

going inside Landing Canary Wharf

“Jun Aoki’s design is really interesting from the outside, but the inside will be even better,” said Simon.

“We know the location well and our interest was in designing spaces that would be very flexible, but with the sort of furnishings you might expect in a hotel.

“The scale of Landing is great and it’s a bit more defined than our other Canary Wharf spaces.

“This will be attractive to clients who want to book off-sites and conferences.

“There are meeting room spaces and pods for privacy as well as the main space and a massive wraparound terrace. 

“It’s also going to be very hospitality-led.

How Landing Canary Wharf will look when work is completed - image by Broadwick
How Landing Canary Wharf will look when work is completed – image by Broadwick

“Unusually, for an event space, we’ve decided to create a fully-equipped kitchen so we’ll be able to deliver restaurant or hotel-level catering.

“At lots of venues across London, food is produced off-site and just finished off before serving because space is at a premium.

“But we had the room for full facilities here and we thought this would be an important addition. 

“One of the other things that really attracted us as an operator was the other tenants in the building.

“Amazing Grace will bring life to 12 Bank Street, while House Of Gods is a very decadent brand and the Wharf needs more hotel accommodation.

“Having that is going to give us the opportunity to package up events with a place to stay, which is really attractive to lots of event organisers – especially people coming from overseas. 

“The building has been designed so that you can arrive, check into your hotel room with easy access straight into the event space and then, after the event, go upstairs again or even to the roof terrace for a drink.

“We’re really excited about the building as a whole.”

An artist's impression of the venue's reception area - image by Broadwick
An artist’s impression of the venue’s reception area – image by Broadwick

Broadwick: a growing business

When it opens the venue will be Broadwick’s 24th in a portfolio that includes the likes of Magazine London, recent acquisition Troxy in Limehouse and 2025 opening Corner Corner in Canada Water.

The latter boasts a vertical farm alongside a live music venue and street food offering. 

With three spaces in Canary Wharf, Simon said he also saw scope for the estate to act as a campus for some events.

He said: “We’ve hosted the Future Resilience Forum, for example, at The Pelligon and it’s an event that’s growing, so being able to use the space at Landing Canary Wharf enables us to accommodate that expansion.

“It means larger events can come to the area and make use of its transport links and hotels – it’s secure, it’s clean and there are now so many restaurants, bars and other facilities to attract people. 

“I’ve been working in Canary Wharf for more than 20 years and it’s unrecognisable.

“The footfall is now spread throughout the day and weekends are sometimes busier than weekdays. It really is thriving.”

The venue has a capacity of up to 450 guests and includes a huge wraparound terrace - image by Broadwick
The venue has a capacity of up to 450 guests and includes a huge wraparound terrace – image by Broadwick

key details: Landing Canary Wharf

Landing Canary Wharf is set to officially open its doors in November, meaning its facilities will be in place for the busy festive season.

The venue can handle up to 450 guests. 

Find out more about the venue here

Read more: Cody Dock becomes a keeper of the River Lea’s stories

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Sea Lanes Canary Wharf set to provide floating lido at Eden Dock

Canary Wharf Group and Sea Lanes are seeking feedback on plans to create swimming space in the dock and facilities on land

An artist's impression of Sea Lanes Canary Wharf - image by Canary Wharf Group
An artist’s impression of Sea Lanes Canary Wharf – image by Canary Wharf Group

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Canary Wharf Group (CWG) is currently seeking views on its plans to partner with Sea Lanes to deliver a 50m natural water pool floating in Eden Dock.

Set to open in June 2026 (subject to planning approval), the proposal is for an open water swimming facility open year round and staffed by lifeguards with a constant depth of 1.3m.

Located around the corner from the main stretch of Eden Dock, the east London plans also include an extensive on-land element on vacant land to the north of Newfoundland tower. 

This would include changing room and sauna facilities, a clubhouse and flexible events space, a food and beverage offering, a viewing area to watch swimmers in the pool and a base for the hire of paddle boards and kayaks.

Under the current proposal Sea Lanes would be open from 6am-11pm during peak summer dates with reduced hours at other times of the year.

Ross Gilbert, director at Sea Lanes said: “We are excited to be partnering with CWG on proposals for a new National Open Water Swimming Centre in the heart of Canary Wharf, building on the fantastic work already accomplished in the neighbourhood to open up Eden Dock for everyone to enjoy.  

“Our vision is to bring people and nature closer together by offering a fully accessible floating freshwater pool, lifeguarded and open year-round, supported by a hub of health, wellbeing and food and beverage businesses.”

Sea Lanes is known for operating the UK’s first National Open Water Swimming Centre in Brighton.

CWG CEO, Shobi Khan, said: “Almost one year on from the opening of Eden Dock, we’re making another bold step forward in the enhancement of our green and blue spaces at Canary Wharf.  

“Sea Lanes Canary Wharf will build on the success of Eden Dock as a unique wellness destination, where access to nature, leisure and world-class amenities are seamlessly integrated.” 

CWG associate director arts and events, Pippa Dale, added: “We’re excited to enter the public consultation stage of Sea Lanes Canary Wharf. 

“Natural water swimming offers proven benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing – from improved circulation and stress reduction to enhanced mood and resilience. 

“By creating this dedicated swimming destination, we’re bringing these transformative health benefits directly to our community of residents, workers and visitors.”

The installation will include a floating lido as well as facilities on land - image by Canary Wharf Group
The installation will include a floating lido as well as facilities on land – image by Canary Wharf Group

key details: Sea Lanes Canary Wharf

Those wishing to respond to the Sea Lanes Canary Wharf proposal must do so by September 12, 2025, via this link.

Read more: How Canary Wharf has enjoyed its strongest year for office leasing in a decade

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Barbarella review: Big Mamma’s Canary Wharf spot is a mixed bag

The recently opened Italian restaurant overlooking Eden Dock goes big on interior design and pottery pooches but underperforms with its mains

Barbarella's first floor dining room, complete with mirrored ceiling - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Barbarella’s first floor dining room, complete with mirrored ceiling – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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At a glance, Barbarella is a lot of fun.

Big Mamma Group, the company behind the chain that recently opened its latest branch in Canary Wharf, knows the power of design.

Its venues across Europe all have different names and aesthetics and, while there’s variance in the menus, there’s also overlap.   

It’s smart. Rather than rely on a brand like The Ivy, Strada or Prezzo – good examples, perhaps, of where chains have created the perception of quality watered down as they’ve rolled out – the mission here is to bedazzle with baubles.

Big Mamma, presumably, sits in her parlour; a shadowy figure below stairs counting the pennies. 

Walk into the Canary Wharf restaurant, festooned with plants and pots outside and you’ll be greeted by a visual onslaught.

There are glossy pottery dogs, a swirly carpet that may have been deliberately mis-fitted to confuse the eye, warmly glowing chandeliers and upstairs, where we’re shown to a table, a mirrored ceiling and vintage shots of models flashing their buttocks for Italian fashion brand Fiorucci. 

There’s a lot of PVC on show, complete with outfits framed to accentuate the high-legged thong-backs of the garments.

Oddly, the mildly risqué is offset by an interior filled with soft furnishings that wouldn’t look out of place in a fine dining room.

There’s linen on some tables and thick heavy curtains to deaden the acoustic, softening every sound. 

Further offsetting comes with the decision to have chefs in the open kitchen wear red baseball caps – a jarring dash of MAGA against the more refined performance from the front of house staff.

Crocchette Di Vitello Tonnato, little deep-fried balls of pulled veal with capers (£15) - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Crocchette Di Vitello Tonnato, little deep-fried balls of pulled veal with capers (£15) – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

the start of the show

We haven’t booked and the gatekeeper on the door puts in a decent dramatic performance of straining to fit us in – “but just so you know, we need the table back in 90 minutes”.

Nothing says relaxed Italian dining like a ticking clock.

We’re led upstairs to the luxe hall of mirrors, which is completely empty.

It’s no real surprise. It’s 5pm and the place does fill up as time ticks on.

Initially, things start well. The service is pleasant and relaxed, although the demi-armchairs we sit in are challenging to shuffle closer or further away from the table without awkwardly grabbing them from below and bracing with all one’s might.

Our starters arrive – Crocchette Di Vitello Tonnato, little deep-fried balls of pulled veal with capers (£15) and Smoky Stracciatella, the creamy heart of burrata served in a bowl with a leaf of basil and herby oil (£9). 

Smoky Stracciatella (£9) - image by Wharf Life / Jon Massey
Smoky Stracciatella (£9) – image by Wharf Life / Jon Massey

Both are surprisingly generous but decent on the tongue.

The five bites of veal feel substantial and the fact one has fallen over and lost its caper, does nothing to lessen the rich, meaty flavour.

The cheese is equally decadent, a lake of gooey loveliness with a dominant hit of smoke in the mouth. A good start. 

Raviolone Bicolore (£21) at Barbarella - image by Wharf Life / Jon Massey
Raviolone Bicolore (£21) at Barbarella – image by Wharf Life / Jon Massey

a pizza as dry as a desert

However, things go downhill with the mains. Initially, my Raviolone Bicolore – green and yellow pasta filled with ricotta and spinach in a provola sauce and topped with sage and hazelnuts (£21) – is solid enough.

There’s a creaminess to it with a hint of lemon and plenty of crunch from the fried herbs and nuts.

But as things roll on, the dish sags – the fillings, a tad watery, become less interesting.

This challenge is nothing, however, compared to the task my companion is faced with.

Her Carpaccio Diem “pizza” (£22) comes as a toasted, crispy base topped with a load of beef carpaccio, fresh black truffle, rocket and shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano. 

Despite a few dollops of truffle aioli, the slice she shared with me was arid – essentially an undressed salad on a dry flatbread – the only moisture on offer coming from the thinly sliced meat.

My companion, whose family hail from Naples, was frankly appalled.

Despite the obvious quality of the ingredients Thursday’s child on Barbarella’s Weekly Pizza menu was indeed full of woe, even if the box we were given to take it home in did have Pavarotti on it with a claim to be specialists in twerking. 

Not the kind to waste decent carpaccio, we scraped off the topping and turned it into a salad the following day, complete with dressing.

The Carpaccio Diem “pizza” (£22) - image by Wharf Life / Jon Massey
The Carpaccio Diem “pizza” (£22) – image by Wharf Life / Jon Massey

Barbarella, all-in-all

Which brings me to the final verdict.

Barbarella is unquestionably fun and for £62.88 per head including wine and tip, it sits its guests in the kind of luxury they might expect when paying twice that.

It feels special and was definitely drawing the date night crowd when we visited.

It has good views over the verdant Eden Dock and there’s enough silliness to charm, even if it does feel a little forced.

But buyer beware. While there’s decent cooking on offer here pick your dishes carefully. 

The one thing an Italian chain can’t get away with is poor food and there’s room for improvement if that pizza is any indication of overall quality. 

★★★✩✩

key details: Barbarella

Barbarella is located on Mackenzie Walk overlooking Eden Dock in Canary Wharf on the lower ground floor of the YY London building (easily identifiable by the Revolut sign at the top of it).

The restaurant is open daily from noon-10pm.

Find out more about the restaurant here

Read more: How Canary Wharf has enjoyed its strongest year for office leasing in a decade

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Bompas And Parr unveil Bioluminescent Flower Parlour in Canary Wharf

We sat down with Sam Bompas of creative studio Bompas And Parr to find out more about the installation at Jubilee Place mall

A buyable exhibit at the Bioluminescent Flower Parlour by Bompas And Parr in Canary Wharf
A buyable exhibit at the Bioluminescent Flower Parlour by Bompas And Parr in Canary Wharf

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In celebration of the launch of Eden Dock, Canary Wharf Group has commissioned creative studio Bompas And Parr to create an installation at Jubilee Place.

You can head over there right now and see it.

what’s going on?

Billed as the world’s first Bioluminescent Flower Parlour, visitors are invited to step inside to see photographic work from Maggie West’s Ultraviolet series as well as plants that have been specially prepared to respond to UV light and fluoresce.

Visitors can explore exhibits at the pop-up
Visitors can explore exhibits at the pop-up

tell us more, Bompas And Parr…

“Maggie’s one of my all-time heroes, photographers and artists,” said Sam Bompas, co-founder of Bompas And Parr.

“Her approach really is extraordinary.

“I find, with her artwork, it makes me look again at all plants, not just hers, to re-enchant the everyday.

“She was working over in London, and she came along to one of our future-food reports, which is about how we bring the future into the present – I was immediately scrabbling around for an opportunity to collaborate, and this is it.”

Her images use ultraviolet light and fluorescent ink to illuminate the process in which plants absorb water. 

She photographed white flowers absorbing fluorescent ink under black lights, with her time lapse photography process revealing the hidden pathways that flowers use to sustain life.

A visitor takes a snap at the parlour
A visitor takes a snap at the parlour

no, about the glowing flowers?

Oh, right. Well there are a selection of flowers and plants on show. Visitors get given a UV torch to help them explore the exhibition.

“At Bompas, we do have a history of making things glow,” said Sam, whose studio is best known for its work in artistic edibles.

“We started with glow-in-the-dark jelly, but this is our first foray into glowing flowers.

“Some have a residual fluorescence, others are UV-reactive.

“We’ve never done this before and, as far as I can understand, it’s the world’s first glow-in-the-dark flower parlour, but, if you’re creating food and drink installations, flowers and floreography has a very important role to play, not least the table dressings.

“In Victorian times they would use paper flowers for the table dressings, because they wanted them to be completely odourless, so they would not interfere with your enjoyment and appreciation of the food.

“We have worked with flowers before – at Kew Gardens, for example, where we were making a giant golden pineapple on a boating lake.

“We’ve also make a bio-responsive garden, where flowers track people’s motions and mimic them.

“More recently in Melbourne, there’s a sentient forest, where you’ll recall the speaking forests of childhood, when plants know where you were and follow your footsteps and creep up on you.

“One of the things I love now is that we’re living in the science fiction world I read about and imagined in childhood.

“With this project, we’re drawing a little bit of a future, which you can come to in Canary Wharf and take home.”


Glowing flowers are available to purchase at Bioluminescent Flower Parlour by Bompas And Parr in Canary Wharf
Glowing flowers are available to purchase

how did it come about?

“We’ve been long time correspondents with and enthusiasts for Canary Wharf and we’re often asking what they’ve got coming down the line – important moments to celebrate on the estate,” said Sam.

“This sits within Canary Wharf’s wider partnership with The Eden Project – focussing very heavily on greening the site and the launch of Eden Dock.

“Every time I visit the estate, it looks more utopian.

“I’m really impressed with how the area’s developing– becoming energetic and blossoming. Hopefully, we’re a small contribution to that.

“The inspiration for the installation was Mental Health Awareness Day earlier this month. We know looking at nature can have an impact. 

“When you look at a red or yellow plant, for instance, you’re immediately uplifted and feel more positive about the world.

“What we really want is to give people a sense of awe and wonder when they consider nature, the cosmos and their place in it.

“Then, through our installation, they can pay closer attention to that.”

A charged up rose, glowing on its own
A charged up rose, glowing on its own

where is it?

You’ll find the Bioluminescent Flower Parlour by Bompas And Parr in the back of the Wharf Farm pop-up, down the escalator from Obica in the West Wintergarden at Canary Wharf.

when’s it on?

You’ll need to be quick, the installation is already in place and will be open from 10am-2pm until October 19, 2024, and then again from October 22-23.

does it cost anything?

Entry is free, however visitors may wish to purchase glow-in-the-dark blooms with prices starting at £12.50.

“You can surprise your friends, your loved ones or just yourself with flowers that genuinely glow in the dark,” said Sam.

“My favourites are the tiny, freeze-stabilised roses that look almost like jewels.

“You can charge them up with any source of light and they glow and linger on and on.

“They’re hauntingly spectral.”

Bioluminescent Flower Parlour by Bompas And Parr in Canary Wharf is located in the back of Wharf Farm
Visit Wharf Farm in Jubilee Place to find the pop-up parlour

key details: Bompas And Parr Bioluminescent Flower Parlour

Catch the Bioluminescent Flower Parlour by Bompas And Parr from 10am-2pm until October 19, 2024, and then again from October 22-23.

Entry is free and UV torches are supplied as part of the experience.

Find the installation at Level -1 in Jubilee Place.

Find out more about the Bioluminescent Flower Parlour here

Read more: Canary Wharf unveils Eden Dock at the heart of the estate

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- 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
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Eden Dock project at Canary Wharf welcomes its first visitors

We sit down with Canary Wharf Group’s Sophie Goddard and the Eden Project’s Sir Tim Smit to talk ecology, life and nature at the heart of the estate

Image shows Eden Dock at Canary Wharf
Eden Dock officially opened to the public on October 2, 2024

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Eden Dock, which officially opened on October 2, 2024, is a project with multiple layers, both literal and philosophical.

Wharfers will doubtless soon festoon its golden-lit benches.

It will become a meeting place for passengers pouring out of the Jubilee line station, a spot for a coffee, lunch or simply to read a book during a break.

Visitors to the estate both during the day and at night will be drawn in by its rich foliage and subtly illuminated boardwalks.

At face value, it is a physical extension of the Canary Wharf estate – a new amenity.

Many will use it as such, probably not thinking too much more about it.

That’s absolutely fine – it’s one of the project’s aims. 

But to view it as just a new park a would be to miss much of the detailed thinking and ambition behind its creation and, crucially, the statement of intent it represents. 

Sure, it’s a pretty place to sit, a decent backdrop for a few selfies.

But it’s about much more than floating planters and smart wooden benches. 

Canary Wharf Group has worked in partnership with ecological heavyweight the Eden Project in Cornwall to create “an urban oasis” with the stated aim of boosting flora and fauna on the estate.

It’s also intended to foster greater connection between us humans and the rest of the animals and organisms we share it with.

Image shows Canary Wharf Group's Sophie Goddard with two of the figures from Nature Rising at Eden Dock
Canary Wharf Group’s Sophie Goddard with two of the figures from Nature Rising

a different measure of success

“Typically, real estate companies take projects forward and work out the leasing income as a  measure of success,” said Sophie Goddard, director of environment, social and governance at Canary Wharf Group.

“But that isn’t the case with Eden Dock, which is like no other project in Canary Wharf.

“Success will be judged on whether people are connecting with the space.

“We’re hitting a biodiversity net gain of 55%, which is phenomenal and we’re improving air quality but we want people to come here and use this space.”

Eden Dock is now officially open to the public.

Comprising a series of gardens and waterside spaces, the waters of Middle Dock have further been transformed by the presence of 20 living figures made from flowering shrub ligustrum – a lush art installation entitled Nature Rising that will become part of the estate’s permanent public sculpture collection and help to draw attention to the new walkways, seating areas and bridges. 

Three years in the making, its launch on the estate is being supported by a programme of events including night kayaking (from Oct 2, see Page 6) dockside Yoga with Third Space (9am on October 10), the arrival of Square Mile Farm’s hydroponic agriculture at Jubilee Place (open until November 1) and a Glow In The Dark Flower Shop from Bompas And Parr, which is set to open on World Mental Health Day (October 10, also in Jubilee Place).

Image shows Eden Dock from above with seating areas and waterside boardwalks
The project has seen a series of boardwalks, seating areas and floating gardens installed at Middle Dock

Eden Dock: coming to life

However, for the Eden Project’s co-founder, Sir Tim Smit, Eden Dock is part of a wider message about how we view all of life in the context of the places we inhabit.

“One way of looking at what’s happening in the dock is to see it as a body coming to life,” he said.

“We want to create a sense that the more bugs there are, the healthier the area is likely to be

“I think we’ve got to look at Canary Wharf as an incredibly powerful, moral story of people wanting to create a place, where they’ve established a habitat to live and now want to start sharing that with other things to make us all healthier.

“What is happening in cities, which is very interesting, is that there are so many different niches where creatures can develop.

“For example, in Canary Wharf, you will find these under each window ledge, beneath every rock or stone and every different material that’s been used.

“There is already greater biodiversity in the suburbs and the centre of our cities than there is in the average field in Britain, which has been nuked with pesticides and nitrates. 

“One of the really exciting things I would wish to champion with the team at Canary Wharf would be a grown-up look at who is sharing this place with us and how we can encourage the maximum amount of life to thrive here.

“The estate is a great location in which to ground the lightning of innovation around enhancing biodiversity.

“It is also our belief that the varied surfaces, textures and environments found at Eden Dock will encourage a greater diversity of life than much of the open farmland in this country.

“Moreover, the attention to life and beauty, plus the softer edges that characterise the natural worlds, will directly influence the happiness and sense of belonging of all who work, live and visit the estate.”

Image shows Eden Dock at night
Eden Dock has been created in partnership between the Eden Project and Canary Wharf Group

an injection of wellbeing

That focus on wellbeing and mental health has provided vital impetus as Canary Wharf continues to change and grow. 

“As we’re evolving the estate, we need to look to what we believe will have value in the future, said Sophie. 

“This is the first of many projects and it is ultimately about creating paths at multiple levels, whether that’s on rooftops or at the ground level, with all these interconnecting spaces to allow green space to flow through Canary Wharf.

“We had 67million people visit the estate last year and we have 3,500 living here, but we need to constantly be asking: ‘Do they feel they belong? Are we having a positive influence on their wellbeing?’. 

“Projects like this are an example of how we’re trying to not just attract a greater number of people here, but also to have a beneficial effect on our residents, workers, visitors and neighbours.”

Image shows a couple looking at a series of living, mossy figures at Eden Dock
The living figures that adorn Eden Dock are part of an art installation called Nature Rising

beautifully realised

Tim added: “If the brief is to create a sense of life and livelihood, the colour, vibrancy and shape of everything that’s required needs to suggest life to the people who live and work here. Eden Dock is very much a valid first step towards doing that.

“It’s beautiful. You can see from the way the planting has been done that, very soon, it’s going to have soft lines everywhere – people are going to want to have picnics there – and that’s something you can build on.

“Nature is pretty cool at doing the biodiversity thing, it’s been doing it a long time.

“It’s important to realise we are all part of nature – it’s not a third party that we interact with.

“When I talk to children, I talk about opening up their guts, which always gets their interest.

“I ask them whether they are aware that there are around 3trillion things living inside them and that our bodies are the most brilliant hosts. 

“It’s really important to remember we are a part of nature, not apart from it.

“And nature is so resilient.

“As we go, we need to proceed, not by planting trees along walkways, but doing a little bit here, a little bit there and then watching what happens.

“We really need to think about the environment we live in and the spaces where we gather.”

The suggestion is that spending time surrounded by living things is not just a desirable way to spend some time, but perhaps a more primal need that is as vital to our mental health as the oxygen we rely on plants and trees to create for us.

As Tim puts it, Canary Wharf going “punk rogue” on ecology at the heart of the estate generates excitement for the future and exhilaration in the present.

You can feel it now, for free at Eden Dock.

The installation is free to visit at Canary Wharf

key details: Eden Dock

Eden Dock can be found right outside the main exit of Canary Wharf’s Jubilee line station.

The area is completely free to visit.

Full details of the project and the activities in celebration of its launch can be found online.

Read more: How Boat Sales By Aquavista offers residential moorings in east London

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- 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
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