Canary Wharf Group plc (“Canary Wharf”) today confirms that it expects to submit two detailed planning applications to Tower Hamlets Borough Council within the next ten days. These applications cover two development sites which are contiguous to the original Canary Wharf Estate but not included within the original Enterprise Zone approvals. Both sites have existing planning consents, which these applications will seek to supersede.

The planning and consultation processes for these applications will inevitably take time, and it is not expected that construction of the buildings will proceed without prior commitment of major tenant/tenants.

RIVERSIDE SOUTH

This development site, located at the western end of Canary Wharf, south of Westferry Circus and flanked by the River Thames to the west and Westferry Road to the east, has an area of approximately 2.5 hectares.

The proposed scheme, designed by the internationally renowned architectural practice, the Richard Rogers Partnership, is for two towers, one to the north of the site and one to the south and a linking low rise building. The towers are respectively 194 and 220 metres above Ordnance Datum, with 28 and 34 office floors.

The scheme produces some 158,853 m2 net internal area of office space and 5,904 m2 net internal area of retail space and significant public space both internal and external.

The towers are linked by a low-rise building in the centre of the site which has three enhanced height floors to facilitate trading or other special use functions. This central building sits above a ground floor that is connected to a multi-level atrium overlooking the river and providing the focus of the retail mall on the lower ground floor.

Floor plates are typically between 2,300 m2 (25,000 sf) net internal area and 2,700 m2 (29,000 sf) net internal area in the towers, while the low-rise link can extend either of these by a further 3,800 m2 (41,000 sf).

Retail outlets and restaurant uses line the entire riverside frontage of the scheme at the lower ground level, opening onto a public pedestrian walkway. When aggregated with the adjoining retail on Riverside this will produce the longest length of retail/leisure use on the River Thames.

The buildings will be clad in clear glass set in a stainless steel and aluminium façade while their plans and massing are modelled to reflect the geometry of the site and the importance of its riverside location.

NORTH QUAY

This development site, located to the north of Canary Wharf, fronts on to the North West India Dock on its south side and is bounded by Upper Bank Street to the east and the West India Quay DLR station and Hertsmere Road to the west; Aspen Way, the principal road connection between East London and the city, lies to the north. The site has an area of approximately 3.1 hectares.

The proposed scheme, designed by the international architectural practice Cesar Pelli & Associates in association with Alsop Architects, provides three major units of office space - two towers of 36 and 39 office floors respectively, and one mid-rise central building - together with associated retail facilities. The development provides some 217,564 m2 of office space, 4,640 m2 of retail space, significant internal public space and pedestrian linkages across the North Dock to facilitate access to the Jubilee Line.

The towers which are positioned at either end of the site, are linked to the central building above ground by several bridging floors which simultaneously provide large open floorplates suitable for trading and sheltered public circulation and function areas below. These high-ceiling spaces may be enclosed as “wintergardens”, or be open to provide connectivity through the development from north to south.

Floor plates are typically 2,300 m2 (25,000 sf) in the towers and 2,800 m2 (30,000 sf) in the central building. The potential trading floors provide up to 4,400 m2 (47,000 sf).

The towers, designed by Cesar Pelli, have rectangular central cores, providing lease spans in the region of 13.5 metres; the central building has an offset core, providing large open floor plates at the lower levels and permitting the inclusion of an atrium above.

The covered public spaces, as well as the pedestrian circulation, surrounding landscaped areas and waterside promenades, and a major new landscaped pedestrian bridge linking the development to the other districts of Canary Wharf, are being designed by the leading British practice Alsop Architects.

Retail outlets and restaurant uses line the entire dockside frontage of the scheme at the lower ground level, opening onto a public pedestrian “boardwalk” at the dock edge.

The buildings will be clad in clear vision glass and stainless steel, combining curtain wall on some facades with a punched window effect elsewhere. Curved facades and sloping crowns are used to achieve a subtle variety in the massing of the development.

Commenting on the applications Paul Reichmann, Chairman of Canary Wharf Group plc, said:

“This is an important step in the continued development of Canary Wharf. 13.5 million sq ft of office space was planned – with the completion of the Barclays building presently under construction, over 14 million sq ft of high-quality office and retail space will be completed. In addition we have acquired the development rights to build 1.7 million sq ft on the 4 sites on the original estate.

Despite current market difficulties we remain confident in the prospects for London in medium/long-term. The Government’s recent announcements on the Thames Gateway, which supports the conclusion of the Mayor’s London Plan, confirms our own view that London in general and East London/Thames Gateway can look forward to sustained employment and housing growth over decades ahead. It is crucial that we keep a sharp focus on the future and put in place now the processes that will ensure we can continue to contribute to that growth by providing state-of-the-art office, retail and leisure facilities.”

We have been working closely for some time with the Richard Rogers Partnership, Cesar Pelli & Associates and Alsop Architects to create these stunning proposals. We are confident that they are in keeping with our original vision for the area and maintain our reputation for focus on, and integration of, retail areas, transport and open spaces. We will of course consult closely with the Council, community groups and all relevant parties regarding the proposals”.