Canary Wharf Group has appointed Sir Terry Farrell’s architecture practice to create a new masterplan for Wood Wharf, E14.
Farrell’s firm’s redesign will alter the mix of the giant Docklands development site, aiming to attract more technology, media and communications occupiers.
Canary Wharf bought the full rights to the 20-acre site in January this year from British Waterways and Ballymore.
It has outline planning consent for 4.7m sq ft of mixed-use offices, retail and residential space, and will take up about one-third of the existing Canary Wharf estate, which lies immediately to the west.
Farrell’s masterplan will aim to improve integration with the surrounding residential community and provide more flexible office space.
The design brief calls for more residential space and will create a similar overall density to the currently consented scheme.
Farrell’s practice was appointed following a design competition, with additional architects due to be appointed for individual buildings as the master plan progresses.
Consultation for the new masterplan will begin in autumn 2012, with an application for a new outline planning permission expected to be submitted in spring 2013.
It is expected the scheme will be developed in phases over 10-12 years with the first phase commencing in 2014.
It is anticipated that part of the development will be open in time for Crossrail trains running through Canary Wharf from 2018.
Sir George Iacobescu CBE, chairman and chief executive of Canary Wharf Group, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Terry Farrell and Partners on to the team to develop the design for Wood Wharf. The successful development of this site will be another massive piece added to the East End’s regeneration jigsaw. We can help London’s digital economy continue to thrive by providing growing businesses with bespoke office space and amenities, in close proximity to excellent transport, talent, clients and capital. The development of Wood Wharf will enhance London’s reputation as a business, lifestyle and cultural capital and further shift the City’s centre of gravity eastwards.”
Sir Terry Farrell CBE, principal of Farrells said: “With the huge success of the Olympics and the rapidly expanding Tech City, this part of London is now much more than a global financial centre. What has emerged is an exciting cultural and lifestyle district that is attracting the world’s creative and technology companies. Wood Wharf is a rare opportunity to create a new and vibrant mixed-use place that responds to its context and draws on other successful parts of this great metropolis.”
Jack.Sidders@estatesgazette.com
