Cesar Pelli, world-renowned architect and designer of One Canada Square, Britain’s tallest building, returns to Canary Wharf on Friday, 27 June with a free lecture to celebrate 20 years since construction began on one of his most famous designs.

Construction of the 800 feet tall One Canada Square began in May 1988, and since completion in 1991 it has become one of Britain and Europe’s most recognisable buildings.

Pelli, whose firm has designed several buildings at Canary Wharf including the Citigroup Building at 25 Canada Square and the East Wintergarden, will draw on his experiences from around the world to entertain visitors to Fresh Perspectives, Canary Wharf’s take on the London Festival of Architecture 2008.

Howard Sheppard, Canary Wharf Group’s Chair of the Festival’s Local Advisory Group, is delighted Cesar Pelli is helping to headline the London Festival of Architecture at Canary Wharf, saying:

“Cesar Pelli’s design has played a key role in the success of Canary Wharf and making it the vibrant community it is today. He has always maintained that the appearance of buildings should grow from their location and purpose. It is only right that he should help celebrate 20 years of Canary Wharf and the 2008 London Festival of Architecture with insight into some of the world’s great building designs.”

Notes to Editor:
•    Cesar Pelli’s Architecture and Design Lecture will be at East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf on 27 June. Starts 7pm (doors 6.15pm). Entry is free. To register, email arts&events@canarywharf.com

•    About Fresh Perspectives
Fresh Perspectives runs throughout Canary Wharf from 25 – 29 June, and explores notions of architecture through dance, interactive art, sculpture, film, workshops, sun, music, sand, food and sound.

Highlights include a showing of Sidney Pollack’s last film, Sketches by Frank Gehry, and Superblue Skyscopes; periscope trees in Jubilee Park that offer visitors views from the top of One Canada Square.

For more information and programme details visit www.mycanarywharf.com

•    About Canary Wharf Group plc
    The prime business function of CWG is the building and leasing of Grade A office and retail space at its 97 acre estate in East London (“the Estate”). Over the last twenty years it has constructed more office space in London than any other property group totalling over 14 million sq. ft of commercial space. The development now comprises 33 office buildings and over 200 shops, bars and restaurants within four retail malls. It also has a conference and banqueting centres, two Docklands Light Railways stations, a Jubilee Line station, car parks and approximately 20 acres of landscaped open spaces.

CWG owns completed properties amounting to approximately 7.9 million sq ft. CWG also owns and controls the retail space (approximately 740,000 sq ft), Wintergardens (40,000 sq ft) and public parking, (approx. 1.5m sq ft) as well as the roads (totalling 6.8 km) and parks and open spaces on the Estate (totalling 382,900 sq ft) in addition to land held for future development. It is through this ownership and the management of the entire 97 acre Estate that CWG controls the integrity of the Estate which enhances the value of the whole.