Canary Wharf is a 97-acre estate with about 15 million sq ft of offices and retail located in London’s Docklands.

Around 105,000 people work in Canary Wharf and it is home to the world or European headquarters of numerous major global banks, professional services firms and media organisations including Barclays, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, HSBC and JPMorgan.

Canary Wharf Group is looking to double the size of the east London financial hub of the same name by 2021, soaking up capacity for an extra 100,000 passengers a day from Crossrail and undertaking demand-led developments.

Challenge

In 1985, architects SOM began work on a master plan for the area, which called for transforming a derelict industrial area into a thriving financial district.

The master plan established a clear urban framework of streets, public squares, and green space. SOM worked with local artists and landscape architects to create memorable and functional gardens, plazas, fountains, shopping arcades, and waterfront promenades. It also enhanced tree-lined boulevards with designated areas for VIP drop-offs, taxis, and bus stops. To establish aesthetic continuity, SOM proposed that design elements such as cornice lines, stone bases, and street furniture be consistent throughout the site.

The aim was to create a brand new financial district for London which would attract some of the world’s most prestigious companies to house their European HQ’s there. As well as an ultra modern and high-end look and feel this area would need an infrastructure to cope with the thousands of people travelling to and from the district every single day, and enough facilities (shops etc) and open spaces to cope with the needs of these workers.

Solution

The clients were seeking a product which would match the aesthetics of the surrounding buildings as well as the look and feel of the site as a whole. The product was also required to be highly durable to cope with the high levels of footfall.

It was also important to the client to find a supplier that could guarantee the supply of the large quantities needed of the product, as well as a supplier who would be able to supply the product well into the future with planned expansion of the site and the wish to retain continuity in look and feel.

In 1986 Marshalls won the tender for all of the concrete paving for the entire Canary Wharf site.

Marshalls Charnwood paving was chosen in a bespoke size which was specially created for the site.

This product combines a modern look and feel with high performance.

Marshalls continues to supply Canary Wharf with this bespoke product.

Benefit

Canary Wharf has become a leading global financial district with BALI award winning public realm giving the over 100,000 workers located at the site the space needed to move freely around the site as well as areas for rest and relaxation.

Marshalls has been supplying its bespoke Charnwood paving to the district for nearly 30 years. In 2014, Marshalls is supplying this product as part of the ambitious plans to double the size of the area by 2021 including the construction of the largest Crossrail station in London and Marshalls looks forward to working with Canary Wharf Group well into the future.