The 14-storey building accommodates a rich mix of uses: collaborative workspace at the heart of the building is set between a grand public retail market at its base and a new ‘sky bar’ and restaurant at its top. Moving the core to the north allows for a simple, generous and open ground floor space that functions as an extension to the public realm, with cafés and restaurants that spill out into the new square planned to its south. A double height east-west galleria connects to the two retail levels and serves to link the approach from the first phase of Canary Wharf to the proposed public park to the east.
Fred Pilbrow, Partner, Pilbrow & Partners, said:
“We are excited that construction can now commence on this pivotal building in the new Wood Wharf. The idea of creating new public space and connections to the existing Canary Wharf is central to the design philosophy. The office space will allow for flexible use, encouraging collaboration and promoting well-being with generous daylighting.”
The office accommodation marks a break with corporate orthodoxy. Structure and services are exposed and the filigree external diagrid allows connections to be opened between individual floors and maximises natural light. The building provides a high level of individual control and external amenity spaces for each floor and day-lit stairs which encourage their use in preference to the lifts.
The restaurant and ‘sky bar’ are set below a generous over-sailing roof which forms a dramatic termination to the building’s facade. Dining areas step down towards a broad south facing external terrace which commands dramatic views over Wood Wharf and South Quay.
Ivan Ferris, Design & Development Executive, Canary Wharf Group said:
“We are delighted to have received planning consent for our Market Building at Wood Wharf, after a long journey. The building once complete will form the centre piece to a vibrant new district at Canary Wharf, with the provision of unique retail, office space and roof top restaurant. We would like to thank the Pilbrow & Partners team for their vision and continued hard work to reach this point. We look forward to the commencement of construction”