Wood Wharf

 ( Wood-wharf : Official ) 

Wood Wharf is a new-build mixed-use neighbourhood in London Docklands. Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf Group PLC, Retrieved 26 April 2018 It is immediately east of Canary Wharf on the northern quayside of the South Dock of West India Docks. , it is partially completed, with several buildings currently under construction and some developments paused.

Wood Wharf includes offices, high-rise and mid-rise residential buildings and retail space. When complete, it is expected to contain around 5 million square feet of space, including 2 million sq ft of office space, 3,330 residential homes, of public spaces, and 380,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants, and amenities including a GP surgery, primary school and community centre.

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History Wood Wharf was part of the Port of London's West India Docks. In 1989, the disused docks were transferred from the Port of London Authority to the London Docklands Development Corporation. In 1998, Wood Wharf was transferred to British Waterways, and in 2012 the assets of British Waterways were transferred to the Canal & River Trust (CRT), who remain the freeholder of the main site.

Following the closure of the West India Docks in the 20th century, the Wood Wharf area was used for light industry and warehousing, becoming Wood Wharf Business Park. In the early 21st century, some units were repurposed for leisure and sports. The business park was sold by British Waterways to a joint partnership in financial year 2007–08. Canary Wharf Group plc purchased a 250-year lease for the site in January 2012.

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Early redevelopment plans In 2003, British Waterways issued a masterplan for a substantial, mixed used redevelopment of the site. The masterplan indicated a potential development size of commercial floorspace (offices, retail and restaurants), of residential use (approximately 1,500 units) and of hotel and serviced apartments. The masterplan was adopted by Tower Hamlets as interim guidance to support the current local plan. In 2005, a consortium of British Waterways (50%), Canary Wharf Group (25%) and Ballymore Group (25%) established the Wood Wharf Partnership to develop the scheme with Berwin Leighton Paisner as legal advisors.

In 2007, a new master plan was produced by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners LLP, Retrieved 26 April 2018 Retrieved 26 April 2018 Tower Hamlets gave outline planning permission in October 2008. The new master plan increased density, with more towers which were taller than in the previous plan. The plan aimed for at least one iconic residential tower and one iconic office tower, along with a glass-roofed high street hosting bars, shops, cafés and restaurants.

A reduction in demand during the 2008 financial crisis led to these plans being shelved, as Canary Wharf Group did not wish to proceed until it had completed and let all developments in progress elsewhere in the docklands estate, including Riverside South, North Quay, Heron Quays West, and 25 Bank Street.

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Final redevelopment plans

In January 2012, Canary Wharf Group took 100% control of the project, paying British Waterways £52.5 million for their 50% stake and Ballymore £38 million for their 25% stake. Under the agreement, Canary Wharf Group was granted a new 250-year lease from British Waterways, paying ground rent which will grow to £6 million per year.

Canary Wharf Group adjusted their strategy for the site to shift some emphasis from office developments to residential. Initially Terry Farrell replaced Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners in leading the masterplanning, and Herzog & de Meuron, Allies and Morrison and Stanton Williams were appointed as architects for various elements of the scheme. Eventually, Allies and Morrison produced the final masterplan, with Adamson_Associates as executive architect supported by Darling Associates, KPF, Herzog & de Meuron, Pilbrow & Partners, Stanton Williams Architects, Grid Architects, and Patel Taylor.

The new masterplan included 30 buildings, comprising 4.9 million square feet of homes, offices and shops.

Tower Hamlets council granted planning permission in July 2014, and the scheme was approved by the Mayor of London in December. Permission required that around 25% of the new homes be affordable homes, and created a review mechanism to increase this allocation to around 40%.

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Construction

Work on the Wood Wharf site was expected to start in autumn 2014, with the first buildings to be occupied at the end of 2018. It was initially estimated to be completed in 2023. A loan of £535 million was secured for the construction Wood Wharf Phase 3. Construction of the third phase has begun with completion of Phase 3 expected in Q1 2027.

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Reception

The development of Wood Wharf won the Property Week Placemaking Award in 2022, CWG’s Wood Wharf Wins Property Week Placemaking Award 2022 – 10.06.22Canary Wharf Group plc. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 24 December. and a silver award in the Best Mixed-use Development category in 2023 WhatHouse? Awards. CWG Wins Two Awards at the WhatHouse? Awards 2023 – 20.11.23Canary Wharf Group plc. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.

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Buildings

+Buildings in the Wood Wharf development

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See also

• Jamestown Harbour

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External links

Categories: Wood-wharf : Official, Canary Wharf Buildings, Redevelopment Projects In London, Buildings And Structures In The London Borough Of Tower Hamlets

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