The North Quay West development forms part of the Canary Wharf Estate, one of the main financial centres of the UK. The site is located on the north side of the West India North Dock. By establishing strong urban connections and defining a lively public realm, the development fulfills its role as an urban connector. It creates strong links between the Poplar quarter to the north, Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs to the south.
The mixed-use complex is composed of four buildings, including two residential towers, one hotel and serviced apartment tower, and one office building, each with a two-level public plinth. This programme subdivision allows for a flexible approach to phasing; each building can function independently, permitting an agile response to market conditions.
The four volumes are articulated to optimise views and daylight access and are arranged around a south-facing square. A landscaped green buffer mitigates sound coming from the busy Aspen Way to the north and creates a defined public space dedicated to a cycling highway and service vehicles.
The southern oriented public square, enlivened with trees and benches, sits between an enhanced waterfront promenade, a new parallel east-west pedestrian axis and a perpendicular connection towards the north. An elevated pedestrian walkway creates new north-south pedestrian connections, reinforcing natural wayfinding.
It bridges the northern barrier formed by Aspen Way and the railway tracks, improving links with the Poplar DLR Station (Docklands Light Railway) vertical interchange and Poplar High Street. To the south, the walkway connects with the Crossrail station across the water.
The raised walkway passes along all four buildings’ double-height plinths. The two northern plinths contain a monumental market hall, marked by a series of brick arches and a coffered concrete ceiling creating a space for maximized flexibility and adaptability. The southern buildings’ lower public levels contain retail. Each of the plinths has an all-sided transparent facade, activating the surrounding public realm.