Canary Wharf’s major expansion sees North Quay tower now rising
Canary Wharf Group’s expansion to the north is seeing tangible signs of progress above ground.
A tower is rising after many years of inaction across an area set to see thousands of homes, offices and a life sciences block.
It’s that life sciences block now visible springing up beside DLR tracks between West India Quay station (visible on the left of the above render) and Poplar station.
Photos in this post are a mix of those taken from a very busy DLR (signal problems) and Poplar station. The tower has been boringly named “One North Quay”.
North Quay – when finally built out in full – will see improved links for pedestrians between Poplar DLR station and Canary Wharf Elizabeth line station. Sadly plans to improve pedestrian links to the north over the DLR sidings are on hold.
The tower now rising isn’t particularly tall by local standards but does bring a welcome splash of colour. It’ll also enable a quick link between Canary Wharf on the Elizabeth line and West India Quay station.
To the east sits Billingsgate market with the City of London changing proposals for the market’s future. It was due to head east to Dagenham before they scrapped the idea.
That doesn’t mean the market is staying. A low rise structure is way too valuable to leave as it is. The latest plan is to close in 2028.
The latest plan appears to be offering traders a wedge of cash but no replacement location.
Near that site are three student towers. This is heading close to Blackwall DLR station.
Eventually all these areas will merge into one but for now it’s still quite piecemeal in development.
Whilst the life sciences tower rises there’s no sign anytime soon that adjacent towers will begin.
No rush. It’s only a prime site sitting empty for a decade beside a new £18 bn new railway line and two DLR stations.
