The 1.55-hectare site, funded by Canary Wharf Group, showcases nature-led placemaking. It features a 325-metre enclosed waterway with timber bleacher seating, gardens and walkways which bring the public realm down to the water. A cantilevered aquatic shelf supports saline-resistant plants and protects the public. With 55 per cent biodiversity net gain, the area includes floating islands, accessible walkways, seating and ramps, encouraging educational engagement, environmental monitoring and improved connectivity.

 

*Public Space is supported by Vestre*

 

 

Who is on the project team? (designer, consultants, etc)

 

 Masterplanner: Howells

 Landscape designer: HTA Design

 Developer: Canary Wharf Group 

 Project Ecologist: Greengage

 Engineering: Arup 

 Lighting Design: Studio Fractal 

 Marine Engineer: Arup

 Consultant: Eden Project

 Consultant: Canal and River Trust

 Planning Authority: London Borough of Tower Hamlet

 

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people.

 

Canary Wharf has evolved from a centre of post-industrial regeneration into a mixed-use neighborhood. Initially focused on commercial development and financial institutions, the area has embraced significant change in recent years. An increasing emphasis on residential neighbourhoods, alongside an expansion of retail, dining, and the night-time economy. The diversification includes the creation of green public spaces that transform the area into a fully accessible public destination, providing a welcoming retreat for residents, workers, and visitors. Eden Dock, a 1.55-hectare site funded by Canary Wharf Group, exemplifies nature-led placemaking and marks a transformative step in the area’s evolution. Serving as a nature-focused public amenity space for both the surrounding businesses and the area’s growing population. Situated opposite Canary Wharf Station in Middle Dock, part of the historic West India and Millwall Docks complex, this 325m long enclosed waterway stretches from Jubilee Plaza to Newfoundland. Surrounded by offices, restaurants, and retail spaces, it serves as a vital connection point for commuters and visitors.

Tell us what you did and how it was designed and delivered. Please explain the governance of the project.

 

At Eden Dock, ‘shores’ of gradual inclines have been designed with timber bleacher seating integrated with steps, walkways, and gardens to bring the public realm down to the water level for the first time. Here, hollow-concrete modular pontoon systems create new south and west-facing spaces for congregation, including floating gardens, educational spaces and social terraces. Just below water level, a 1.5-metre wide cantilevered aquatic shelf provides a framework to support saline-resistant planting while discretely protecting the public from the danger of deep water. A new north-south footbridge across the dock follows proven desire lines to link local landmarks. Throughout the design development process, several consultations were held with key stakeholders including the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the Canal and River Trust, Transport for London, and E1 Waterbird Welfare. Community consultation played a crucial role in shaping the design, engaging over 200 participants, with 96% expressing support for the project’s ambitions. Feedback revealed strong enthusiasm for features such as boardwalks, biodiversity enhancements, and leisure opportunities, ensuring the final design aligns with the community’s needs. During the pre-planning phase, engagement boards were displayed around the site, inviting public input and generating numerous positive comments and constructive feedback, directly informing and refining the design.

 

 

How does this public space bring people together, encourage inclusivity, and make a positive environmental impact to the wider place? 

 

Eden Dock exemplifies CWG’s ambition to support the community and create positive social impact. The community continues to engage with the space through public events, biodiversity initiatives, education and cultural activities. At the water’s edge, boardwalks, bleacher seating, and terraces provide inviting spaces where people can gather, relax, and engage with the water. The new Community and Event Platform, sheltered by a timber canopy, functions as a flexible venue for organised outdoor performances, educational workshops, and cultural programming. Interpretive signage enhances understanding of the site’s ecological features, supporting educational initiatives. Below water, a cantilevered aquatic shelf supports submerged planting, while a marine monitoring station, equipped with underwater cameras, enables the tracking, study, and observation of biodiversity by visitors. These features encourage focal point for educational engagement, citizen science and provide a basis for advanced environmental monitoring, contributing to research to test the veracity of modelled benefits helping push best practice forward.