For 25 years, SOM has collaborated with the City of London and local leaders in the planning and building of Canary Wharf. Designed to revitalize a vacated industrial zone within the London Docklands and accommodate the City’s expanding financial sector, SOM’s master plan created a roadmap for one of the largest undertakings of urban infrastructure in the modern era.

The plan established over 20 building sites and four districts modeled after traditional London squares. As part of the effort, SOM designed several key buildings and coordinated artists who created special railings, gates, fixtures, and fountains. The master plan established essential connections to public transport, linking Canary Wharf to Central London via the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) and Jubilee Line (London Underground) as well as ensuring the vital integration of Crossrail in the near future. Over 80% of employees currently commute by public transit.

The success of Canary Wharf is unprecedented. The district is now an employment hub for East London and a catalyst for its broader regeneration, attracting high-density urban living. As Canary Wharf enters its third decade of planning and building, SOM continues to play a key role in guiding its growth.

Current and Future Phases

Initial Master Plan and Construction Phase: 1985-1993
Subsequent Master Plan and Construction Phase: 1998-2005
Future Phases: 2010-2015

Current Built Development Area: 16 million gsf / 1.5 million gsm
Future Expansion Planned: 4 million gsf / 370,000 gsm
Projected Overall Working Population: 90,000 people

Project Facts

Completion Year: 1993
Site Area: 71.10 acres