1,000 new homes proposed for Canary Wharf

Proposals to build almost 1,000 homes in Canary Wharf’s North Quay district have been presented to Tower Hamlets by architects Allies and Morrison, the fourth practice to have designs on the site in east London.

The firm’s preliminary vision for the plot (pictured), which is immediately north of the new Fosters-designed Crossrail station, could deliver around 950 new homes and a range of commercial uses, according to a presentation for Tower Hamlets councillors last week.

North Quay, owned by Canary Wharf Group, already has consent for a commercial scheme designed by César Pelli with Will Alsop, featuring towers of up to 43 storeys, 372,660m² of office floorspace and 5,324m² of retail and cafe uses.

The tallest element of that scheme, dating from 2007, would be similar in height to Allies & Morrison’s plans because of lower floor-to-ceiling heights for residential schemes. César Pelli designed One Canada Square, which is synonymous with Canary Wharf.

In another Canary Wharf-related move, developers Rockwell and FirethornTrust have received planning approval to develop Quay House, a new 40-storey scheme, into 279 apartments and a 400-room hotel.

The development was designed by SimpsonHaugh, the architect responsible for the One Blackfriars luxury apartment tower in Southwark, south London, and Two St Peter’s Square – also known as Beetham Tower – in Manchester.

A three-storey building will be torn down to accommodate the Quay House scheme.