_Living in Canary Wharf

In the 1990s, this Docklands area of East London was unremarkable, unappealing and relatively unused. Fast forward to now and Canary Wharf is a global financial centre, visited by around 49 million people annually and home to increasing numbers of people.

Is Canary Wharf a good place to live?

If you want the convenience of a 15 minute city, Canary Wharf is definitely a place to consider. There are over 300 places to shop and dine in the area. That’s a lot more choice than simply a few sandwich shops for people who work there.

There’s 20 acres of outdoor space, providing ample opportunities to exercise or enjoy time outside in its parks and green spaces. Then there are several health clubs for indoor training and socialising, including Virgin Active, Third Space and Barry's.

It has excellent transport links. The recent opening of Crossrail has enhanced this further. As a result, there's been significant interest from wealthy international students who can now access universities across the capital.

There’s the DLR overground service and the Jubilee Line and Elizabeth Line for underground transport. Being by the water, there are also boat services to transport you from East to West London.

According to Sir George Iacobescu, the CEO and Chairman of Canary Wharf Group, it was transport that transformed Canary Wharf. “If you want to know the history of Canary Wharf, it’s the history of transport,” says Sir George. “Canary Wharf equals infrastructure and transport” he adds.

Work, live and play in Canary Wharf

Around 4,000 people call Canary Wharf home. Many are enticed by the attractive new developments there, as well as the convenient lifestyle it offers. There's been a huge increase in rental demand recently and rental values being achieved. Canary Wharf ticks the boxes for those back in the office more often and wanting a great place to call home.

“People are discovering that there is a lot more than banking here,” says Sir George. He surmises,

“Canary Wharf is becoming a hub for people to come and have a nice life, as opposed to just coming to work.”

It’s not just financial businesses that operate from Canary Wharf. You’ll find a diverse mix of creative, financial and legal organisations alongside technology and entrepreneurial companies. These include Time Inc., Reach plc, Apple and The Economist Group.

Schools in the area are of a good standard. Coupled with the many local amenities, it is an appealing location for families. An ice rink is under construction, there’s mini golf and ping pong. There always seems to be something going on from a children’s art trail to table to food markets and festivals. Many locals comment on the safety and cleanliness of the area too, important factors which contribute to having a nice life.

Aspirational living in Canary Wharf

How better to enjoy this metamorphosising area than with a bird’s eye view from a penthouse apartment?

One Park Drive is a striking building, soaring above Canary Wharf. The reason for its remarkable appearance is the exceptional design by renowned architects. It’s London’s first residential tower by the celebrated Swiss architectural firm, Herzog & de Meuron. The impressive interiors were conceived by Herzog along with curation by Tom Dixon and Helene Bangsbo Andersens’s Design Research Studio.

The architects carefully considered how people would want to live in the penthouse apartments of this impressive building. The results are intended to be entirely unexpected yet comfortingly familiar at the same time.

There’s a gentle flow around the duplex apartment. The sculptural staircase provides a moment to stop and absorb its creative form. The whole experience is elevated, an apt concept when living on the 56th and 57th floors.

Expansive, curved windows enable residents to take in the panoramic views of London. But the architects have pushed this concept further with courtyard gardens which provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy moments of peace and serenity outside, in privacy.

Sir George Iacobescu says wisely, “Architecture for the purpose of architecture doesn’t stand the test of time.” He believes, “You have to create buildings so people can work and live and have a pleasant life.”

To that end, residents of One Park Drive have a cinema room, library and lounge, 20 metre swimming pool, sauna, steam room and fitness area within the development. There’s a 24-hour concierge and Canary Wharf Estate Security for round the clock reassurance and safety.

Read about the Culture shift of London’s next neighbourhoods (including Canary Wharf).