Is there any old architecture like pubs left on the Isle of Dogs? I just checked google earth and there’s one solitary old beautiful pub called the lord Nelson.
I've got to be honest I'm a little bit bitter with this one! I was born in this area and can trace my entire family on both sides to this area towards Liverpool street to under 300 years! Sadly they pushed us all out to a compulsory purchase order making it impossible to remain. In my opinion it's now a place with no heartbeat. I wished I could convey to you what an amazing vibrant happy kind place it was. Everyone was so happy and helped each other because several generations before us were deeply affected still by the war. It was a kind of " we are lucky to be alive" attitude. They spent their whole lives and worked very hard to buy their homes which they were very proud of and then the VERY corrupt Tower Hamlets Council put compulsory purchase orders on their homes and after 3 FAKE valuations offered only 2 thirds or less of the value which meant people didn't have enough to rebuy in the area. Even worse many people were self employed in the local little market and had shops, market stalls and pubs and they were given next to nothing so they lost their community,homes and jobs!
I live in London and very occasionally visit Canary Wharf. I am always struck how outsized it is compared to London overall. It is a picture perfect vision of a futuristic city, clean, full of well dressed beautiful people going about their business. To me I am reminded of those 1970s perfect futuristic dystopian cities just before civilisation is about to collapse into chaos.
i live in Canary Wharf, since 2011 it changes so fast it feels very weird here, and because of the absurd service charges and leaseholds, and being able to work mostly online, I'm finally moving out next year - in some weird way i will miss it
I worked in Canary Wharf from 1994 until a few months ago, with a break of a couple of years in the City which is where I am now working again. I also lived at the edge of Canary Wharf from 1997 to 2003. Having a 5 minute walk to work was great ! The area has changed dramatically from the early days. Having so much on your doorstep is one plus of living there. I had a great time. My eldest son graduated from university earlier this year, and guess what ? He has just started his first job - in Canary Wharf !
The UA-camr said there is a lack of air-conditioning there. Is it the constant phenomenon there? How come an underground mall doesn’t turn on air-conditioning? I don’t like that either but at least you need proper ventilation to ensure people working there won’t feel suffocated!
@bear2514 It always seemed fine to me, but I never really spent hours wandering around down there. If I ever shopped I knew exactly which shop to go to, buy what I wanted then left
That must put you in the first generation of workers to have worked almost an entire career in CW and seen it transform from the early buildings built around the DLR to the latest version. I visited once in the mid-90s and it was a pretty dull place, but by the time I came to work there in the 2010s, it had massively expanded, especially with the underground shopping. I can't say I ever particularly liked it - and like most workers never really stepped outside - you could do everything underground, even getting to the office. It was always too windy to enjoy the outside apart from a few afternoons a year.
I love Canary Wharf! It’s clean and, safe and has the best transport links in London. You should visit in December when the Christmas lights are up - the whole place is transformed into a winter wonderland!
@@MyRackley In the whole of Canary Wharf, Waitrose is the only really affordable place to go for fresh food. Of course you can go to Leon etc but its not really fresh now is it.
I have worked at Canary Wharf for almost 20 years. For me the best thing is it’s like being in its own little bubble. It’s very clean, it’s very safe, no beggars, no litter and rubbish everywhere, because it’s privately owned you won’t see people setting up tents or people selling things in the streets. There are designated areas for smoking. When you drive on and off the island, there is security. There is a really good selection of shops and if it’s really hot, it’s got Aircon if it’s really cold you’re covered and warm and most of the buildings you can access to shopping centre without even going outside. I really like working there and much prefer it to the city
@@bobikdylan I understand the sentiment behind their comment. I live in the Pacific Northwest (USA) and you will get *compassion fatigue* very quickly around here. There are so many drugs, tents and crime that it’s downright dangerous in so many public places nowadays. Poor people aren’t the problem but the grifters and criminals who hide amongst them can make it extremely dangerous (and exhausting) at times.
@@bobikdylanyes it’s very great. England has so much opportunity for work and to make money there’s no excuse. If you develop a drug habit why is it up to rest of us to give you money to pay for more drugs smh
@@rage_fusionabsolutely agree, I hate being hounded in the street by druggies. It happened to me the other day, this woman putting on a breathing condition worthy of a bad Oscar. I listened to her and told her I don’t carry cash. She got on my nerves
I was there at the start of Canary Wharf, building Hertsmere House, then worked there from 1995 to 2018, when we relocated to Amsterdam. The issue is more the surrounding apartment blocks, all built to sell expensive apartments with mega facilities (private dining rooms and cinema rooms etc) all intended for sale to the Chinese, who didn’t buy, now turned into serviced apartments for the banks own staff or rented out for way too much to desperate workers trying to save money on their monthly travel cards.
I think this is not only a problem in Canary Wharf, I believe. I get your point, but I think the high end/expensive appartments being built in London and other large cities like New York, are not for living. The wealthy people can afford those flats use them as saving accounts, as an investment. Most of them do not even rent them out, which increase even more the housing crisis. I watched once an interview when a Hong Kong guy said he purchased an expensive appartment in London because it was cheaper here than in Hong Kong.
People have said to me they can't sell their property in Canary Wharf and they want to get out. When you see prices of £875K for a little flat it is no wonder residents are trying to get out.
Uhm it’s not that much for London tbh. 😂😂 My area it’s £1.2 mil for a new(ish) 2 bed flat. Thank God for social housing ig. Only way I’ve been able to grow up in affluent areas.
I worked on Canary Wharf in the early 00s. It was described as being ‘the place to be’ but even back then all the domineering steel, glass and concrete just made it feel soulless. Looking back in many ways it reflected the mindset of its populace: ostentatious and transactional. But what I - and many colleagues of that time - found really grim, was the juxtaposition of have:have not. The width of a road would separate extreme wealth from extreme poverty and at times it almost felt like living in a social experiment. My company did a lot of outreach to try and help that community. It’s strange to see the area again. It brings back a real mixture of emotions: some unforgettable boozy sessions, but also the madness of 07/08. Thank you for sharing Hannah and yes, you’re not alone in finding it very depressing.
Area’s should be allowed to evolve naturally over time, this never happened in this part of the East End. CW was just created and put there because the land was available and relatively cheap. It in no way identifies with the old East End or with the values and concerns of the people who previously lived there. Everything about it is totally false.
From my 15 years working there, I agree. I joined my company's Schools Reading Project, visiting local schools at lunchtime to help the kids learn to read. It was worthwhile, but at the same time it totally outlined those who have and those who have not.
Look up Gary Stevenson. He was one of those who grew up poor in the shadow of Canary Wharf as it was being built. Although his face didn’t fit, he ended up working there as a millionaire trader and now speaks on that inequality you speak of as he’s seen things from both side of that road.
Are u talking about the community in poplar or isle of dogs on the other side. The view of these massive glass buildings towering over council estates in poplar truly is such a juxtaposition. It makes me always think of how people live completely two different lives when I walk through poplar high street past the estates, while looking up at the view of Barclays, HSBC, KPMG and Bank of America.
This has become the issue all across america, the downtown working districts are empty. In San Francisco we are at nearly 40% empty buildings and we don't know what to do. You're lucky that London has a more diverse downtown!
@@Lemingtona-x5g SF and LA have a lot of vacant units in buildings. There is no will on the part of politicians to do anything. My cousin was disgusted with the encampments, addicts, and property crime levels of both cities. He got out at first chance he could.
@@BunnyWatson-k1w strange country USA, they give billions to Ukraine and other corrupt nations or foreign interests but their own not so much. Seems almost like its state level con on taking care of its own citizens, the tax they give back less to their own
It is almost like leaving the housing market mostly unregulated was a bad idea 🤷🏻♂️ Rampant greed and ownership of housing is a horrible combination. There should be strict regulations for how much rent can go up, and how much housing can go up in price.
Canary Wharf is the place I’ve always liked to hang out in London especially family friendly for the kids. Safe and clean. A breath of fresh air from hustle and bustle of central London. What’s not to like !
@@baliksupper6043 I know right. That feeling when you go somewhere you like and had a positive experience and share that with others. Yep easy to please!
Cheers Hannah, this is Sean in Atlanta! OK, I’m gonna probably get hammered for saying this, but I actually love Canary Wharf! I love the architecture and I love the fact that you can walk around all those inlets and look at some of the coolest buildings in the world! I also love the fact that they left those old cranes in place which looks amazing to me! I also enjoyed that underground shopping area at Canada Place, I believe it was called. We just don’t have anything like Canary Wharf in America that I know of. I have to confess that I just simply love London! On my last trip to London, I was staying in Earls Court. I walked from there to Canary Wharf and back to Tower Bridge and I was pretty pooped at the end of the day! I also discovered an incredible canal area to walk near Tobacco Dock, or Shadwell Basin, somewhere in that area, along the Thames Path. It was the best walk! Oh, I also had a morning beer at The Grapes, Sir Ian’s pub. You know, Gandalf! Hey, great segway into NordVPN! That was smooth! Haha! You don’t strike me as a hooligan, so I would never have thought you knocked down those bikes! Maybe we don’t know you as well as we would like… You’re talking about the fact that there are five underground malls and I did not know that. I only went in the one at Canada Place and then I wanted to keep exploring. Five connected malls? I must check them out next time. This is definitely one of my favourite videos you have put out! I guess I will be considered strange, but I really like that area and walking along the Thames Path back to Tower Bridge was extraordinary! Thanks for this excellent video, Hannah! Sean P.S. Love your coat!
@@viktrader I did! But you have to remember, I have loved London my whole life even though I live in Atlanta. So, it wasn’t tiring to me at all because I was exploring and seeing the things that I had only seen in pictures. But by the time I finished Canary Wharf and walked back to Tower Bridge, I was pretty wiped out and took the tube to Earls Court.
@@searam1 Theres a scheme in New York by the same developer - Olympia & York - that has some similarities. It's on tne Hudson River. And I now can't quite remember what its called, World Finance Centre or something.
What saves Canary Wharf is the fact it's also very residential not just businesses. And central London. I've been to La Defense in Paris, which is just business and it's totally dead, horrible place.
Canary Wharf used to be a ghost town in the 90s over the weekends, there are a lot more offices and residential towers now, plus the whole shopping mall and restaurants. Not to mention it now has jubilee line and Elizabeth lines to add to an expanded DLR. Having said which I don’t find it as busy down there as it was pre Covid years
@@PaulForeman-indievisuals My son lives there, and he loves it. His office is just a short walk away, he can get into central London in 15 minutes and there's shops etc all around.
@@frcluc Well, it seems pretty central to me. Metropolitan London sprawls out with a population of 14 million people yeah? And almost no one lives in the City of London, so what are you actually talking about?
I went to Canary Wharf for the first time last month. The main reason is that the Lizzy line took 25 mins from West London. After 2 hours, I was a tad bored and left. I felt like I was in a dystopian sci-fi movie set being observed.
Lived in the Uk for three years only left recently and Canary Wharf was always my favorite place to visit. It just made me feel somewhat fulfilled and excited as an architecture nerd can't really explain it. I hope i can visit again soon 😊
Actually it wasnt a reduction in world shipping that reduced the activity of ports in central London. The increase in road traffic was also not related to the change. Rather it was the increase in international container shipping that needed larger ships than London could cope with - hence the shift to the coasts.
Containerisation in general. Everything at that time got pushed down to Tilbury. A very odd place. I had to fix someone's car as a mobile mech down there and it felt that the area was kind of stuck in the 70's.
@saltymonke3682 That's a fair point,but this was where they were raised& family's worked in the Docks..And then they were given choices to live where I wonder?
Thing is they built this in one of the poorest parts of London, while it beats a WW2 bombed out derelict area which some of it was, but in terms of local people they were farmed out to the new towns and this left the estates around it disenfranchised, it became a magnet for money and wealth, though I remember back in the early 90's when the then big recession hit, that the whole project nearly stalled, I worked there near the then design museum, and a lot of the buildings wereunfinished, unoccupied shells. I like urban renewal and you can't stop progress, but there's a need to keep in mind the 'ordinary' local Londoner rather than a Chinese or Gulf Sate property investor.
@@stephentalas1940 I remember the 80s when most of the flats were being sold countless times, each at a huge profit, yet nobody actually moved in... Meanwhile the locals looked on helpless, in their cold, damp, mold infested flats..
I was in college in 1991 in the US (St. Louis) working at an Italian Deli, and we hired a guy from Isle of Dogs. His accent was so different we could barely understand him, but he was great and he mentioned the construction taking place there. I brought in an architectural magazine that had story about it, and how it was having problems being built and protests from the locals. He confirmed it all as he said he actually worked on the docks. So my first time to London I stayed at the Marriott Canary Wharf and really enjoy myself. It has sentimental value for me, but it’s just interesting it might fail after all.
I live in Islington but worked all over Canary Wharf from the mid-nineties until seven years ago.I remember it only had one low ceiling shopping area ,some of the others was added on from underground car parks,that’s why it’s it’s all over the place and not straight forward to get around.I was a service engineer so visited all of the buildings,lunch time was a nightmare not enough room for too many people.The last time is was there my wife treated me to dinner for my birthday at boisdales ( I did some work in there when it opened) Canary Wharf will always have a special place in my heart from the security guards / receptionists to all the people I have met there ❤
Canary Wharf is a great place to be. We used to live on Narrow Street. The great thing was the weekends when it became quiet. During the summer there is loads of free shows. Christmas you get shows etc. Everything you need is on your doorstep. Loved living there.
Me too. Wood Wharf here at The Vertus and miss looking at the Wharf everyday and even saw a few mega yachts below my apartment block and so many events and stuff to do in CW.
When you thank the sun for coming out it reminds me of my study abroad semester in London; I never was thankful for sunny days in the US but boy was I glad to see the sun when I was in London. I suppose you don't know what you'll miss until it's gone.
Canary Wharf is a bit of a weird area indeed. It feels cold, somewhat empty and very corporate with those glass towers everywhere. Reminds me of London's version of Battery Park City, the World Trade Center, Hudson Yards & downtown Jersey City in New York. Especially with the underground mall, what a maze. You can easily get lost down there.
This area of London reminds me of downtown Toronto. The major banks and insurance companies have their head office there. Lots of skyscrapers here. And the old railway yards were developed into condominiums. The whole skyline of Toronto changed in fact with tons of tall condo buildings, particularly since 2000. The goal was to convince younger singles and couples to have a short commute to work, some even walking to their office in 10 minutes. Many other office workers who owned houses commuted by train from neighboring cities. Since 2020 many people now work from home, and a lot of office space remains empty. There is an underground shopping center just like at Canary Wharf. In Toronto they call it "The Path" with a mall that stretches many city blocks, all underground. The Path complex was built when people actually worked in offices. It was very busy Monday through Friday. Business was so bad on weekends about half the shops were closed. All of this in 2024 has changed. Foot traffic at The Path is not what it used to be. Many office workers now work from home and foot traffic at street level is also minimal on weekdays and weekends.
@@Andrew-rc3vh Yes. The reichmanns. They also built First Canadian Place in Toronto which is a central part of the Path which I recently read is the largest underground shopping complex in the world. It was convenient in the winter for lunch and a bit of shopping if you worked downtown.
I am an immigrant in London, after two years moving only between the areas of Newham, Hackney and Shoreditch I visited Canary Wharf one day and I didn't feel like I was in London but in Toronto or New York, I have never been in Toronto or New York but I have seen photos.
I’m a Torontonian born and raised (now living in Shoreditch). Canary wharf is INCREDIBLY SIMILAR to downtown Toronto. In fact, if I remember correctly the main developer of canary wharf (Olympia & York) was originally a Canadian company who built it with inspiration of Toronto’s banking district.
@@lotfiiI Also lived in London for nearly ten yrs and thought the same about canary wharf, I remember it only to be busy during the week seems like this has changed
Back in the day a friend of mine moved to Canary Wharf, when he left his wife and set up with his mistress as they both worked in finance. What a soulless place. Could I work or live there, not a hope in hell. I was medical anyway and living out where I grew up, a little dell opposite our house, that is a tiny park with a pond. It was so quiet in there even though the Paddington to SW trains were on the other side of the Dell, planes into Heathrow overhead and the local mental health hospital down the road. A short walk and there was greenery. Now I live in a small Northamptonshire town. Hannah, look after yourself. Don't forget to rest a bit. Thank you for another amazing tour. x
@wendymartin6479 It's now the local General Hospital. I worked in a Mental Health Hospital for 5 years and that dispelled many myths I had been raised with. Our old home was very easily sold and I had the most wonderful life the 19 years I lived there.
Cool video Hannah - First of yours I have watched. I have lived in CW for the last 4 years. Have also worked here on and off in the last 15. Previously lived in Kensington and Marylebone. For me I am a big fan. Like anywhere it will suit some people and not others but there are lots more positives than negatives to the place, and yep you get used to the layout quite quickly and navigating is super easy.
I used to go there for meetings back in the day. Been up the original Canary Wharf tower and visited someone who lived in one of those apartments overlooking the water. It’s changed and been developed a lot since then.
Well wtf do you expect? It's financial district full of banks, law and insurance companies. And about 'old buildings', are you nostalgic over a rundown dockyard? It's like going to Manhattan and complaining about the lack of greenery. Also London is already one of the greenest major cities on Earth. London isn't just the small bits of Canary Wharf or the City.
Brilliant to see your Canary Wharf video - I love it there so much. The Waitress is terrific, and the whole shopping centre underneath is fantastic. During my London trip last year I spent lots of time visiting Canary Wharf. It's awesome. Fantastic shops and restaurants as well. Love it.
Glad to see you make it over to the East 😊 I started work there in the mid 80s when nothing else was there and watched it slowly develop. Now I deliver around the area and I'm always amazed just how developed it's become.
HUGE, modern, cold ... I much prefer "Old London" and the traditional architecture (but then, no one asked or cares what I think). Montreal has a lot of underground shopping too because of the winter snow. Like your navy trench (?), very classy, Hannah.
I'm from the Scottish countryside. My sister who lives next to the millennium dome took me a walk around canary wharf. I must admit it feels very claustrophobic but at the same time you don't have to worry about cars, buses etc and plenty places to eat and shop. Certainly less pigeons😊. All in all I quite like canary wharf but still prefer to live in the Scottish countryside!!!
Good afternoon, I loved the outside of Canary Wharf and the parks and spots to sit with some green are really nice but I felt almost claustrophobic in the underground mall. I agree that it probably has most anything you could need in regards to shopping but it just seems a bit depressing. It does seem to have a lot of tube stations so it would be easy to get to but then that also makes it easy to leave and go home when you've had enough. LOL Thank you again for the time and effort that you always put into these. You are always so at ease when chatting with us. Have a great weekend all. Cheers from Ontario Canada
As someone who grew up with the shopping centres of Australia, I really don't find the shopping malls in Canary Wharf hard to navigate. Also there are maps but they look like ad displays
So glad you got a sunny day so you could see the sky and clouds reflected on the glass on the buildings . I couldn’t live or work in the area .. a bit too claustrophobic, but it’s certainly an interesting area to walk around outside , but the underground shopping would finish me off . Looks so airless . Really enjoy your videos .
Loved visiting Canary Wharf although we did not realise that there was a large shopping centre underground. The London Museum of Docklands was our reason for visiting. My husband’s grandparents were born in Poplar and came out to NZ after WWI. They went back in the 1950’s and the streets they gre up in had been flattened during WWII. Agree about the numbers of restaurants, bars, etc.
I was there on the 5th October and it was really busy. I used to live in Wapping (1981-2014). I worked for Tower hamlets council and we were once based in Jack Dash House and then Millharbour near South Quay DLR. Used to walk in good weather from Canary Wharf after having a coffee in JL/Waitrose to my flat in Wapping. When I retired I moved to a village in North Germany near the seaside (North Sea) to join my only brother
I visited London and surrounding areas back in '94. It changed my life. I saw so much, experienced so much, and I wouldn't change it for anything. I hope to one day be able to visit again before I die. I loved it so much! I don't know how many times I ended up at Harrods, but it was more than a few!
I worked in Canary Wharf...it's got more shops now, but still "soul-less". Was there during the London bombings and they shut off all public transport, so ALOT of people were just stuck there. The last straw was when I had a panic attack in the underground shopping centre. Happily working in the City now...
That shopping center was gross. It was all hard slick surfaces, zero warmth, zero wood,few places to sit and claustrophobic. The outside spaces were the same, very little green spaces, just miles of concrete and glass. Give me the country any day. No thanks. But thank you Hannah for taking us there.
I think you need to check again, there was always a park space with water feature, there is now a recently opens new green area built in conjunction with the Eden project, and a short walk and you are into the waterside docks and even an urban farm. The main Canary Wharf area isn’t even a mile across so don’t know where you are walking. It’s designed and built for a purpose and there are loads of open spaces nearby if you look!
A family member of mine lived there, and the views from their high-rise apartment were fantastic. They loved it so much that they wouldn't want to live anywhere else. The area is very clean compared to other parts of London, which can be quite filthy. The security is excellent; when you live on the island, the security team recognise you, they have security stop points as you drive in. There’s no graffiti or chewing gum on the pavements, and there are good restaurants nearby. They have since moved to a lovely place abroad. CW has got too busy now as there isn’t really anywhere else worth a visit, Oxford Street a big No. Overall, I find London to be filthy, from the tubes to the trains. Seldom do you see cleaners, and people generally think it’s okay to be a slob. There seems to be a lack of pride or appreciation.
Hannah I just love your videos. Beautifully filmed and presented in such a lovely style. Stumbled across your channel and I am totally hooked. Such a lovely lady showing us the delights of otherwise, of our cities and travel. Amazing content ❤❤❤❤
From what I've heard/read,.a lot of the apts in Canary Wharf are empty--either being bought as investments or for someone who spends just 1 or 2 months in London.
@@jackgu8644 most people I have come across don’t know a single thing about Canary Wharf and the surrounding areas, yet they have a lot of views and “knowledge” 😂 Most complain about public transportation, so stupid! It is a well connected area, it is on the jubilee and Elizabeth lines, has DLR (more reliable than any other public transportation!) which takes you to the city in some 10-15 minutes.
I think development is good as long as it brings jobs and wealth to local residents. In this case, exactly the opposite happened. They built offices and office workers commuted miles away. Rents started increasing in the area and became unaffordable for the local people. We can see now it is coming to an end...
Was in London for the first time last month (first time outside North America), and I stayed in Canary Wharf. Really enjoyed staying there. Steps away from the Elizabeth Line, DLR, and Underground. Main thing I did in London was seeing West End shows, so I didn’t spend much time in Canary Wharf outside my hotel. And yes, it was very easy to get lost. This video made me realize I missed a lot when I was there. But I’m already thinking of a 2025 visit.
Personally I’d say it’s a decent place to work, tons of shops (the Waitrose even used to have its own wine bar, not sure if it still does) and you can get to the office underground without getting wet when it’s raining. I’m not sure I’d want to live there though. I suspect most people who do, just have a crash pad, for working Monday - Friday, and go to their country house at the weekend.
Inspired by this film, my wife and I thought a visit to Canary Wharf was long overdue, so this morning we paid a visit and stayed for a few hours. Did lots of walking, and had lunch before coming home. I travelled on the DLR for the first time in 1988 in the same week it was opened by the Queen, and back then it was like a journey through the biggest building site in the world. It's worth nothing that there are thousands of empty apartments at Canary Wharf, bought by overseas purchasers who buy them, not to let, but as investments.
Some of those rules could be introduced into downtown London! As an international recent visitor I was shocked at the amount of fast paced balaclava scooters racing through the crowds and in 10 days I never saw a Bobby / policeman? Very unnerving
I lived their for 7 years. Took a long time to get used to it. I worked there also. with local river walks to islington along the canals and walks to Greenwich using the underground Tunnel made up for the all the glass and metal of Canary Wharf. Great video. Much Love.
Thanks for showing us around this part of London, I lived in Poplar in the early 60s the flats were facing the thames river,the malls no give me petticoat Lane any day,I still remember my address east India dock Road Poplar now I live in a beautiful town in Almeria 😊
In nyc, where I live, downtown office district has sky scrapers built in classic gothic stone masonry style, which is lovely to see, while the mid town office area is all modern glass office buildings like canary wharf, and it’s a bit soulless.
When I was a student in the UK in 1987, I got a temp job with the DLR, which had just been dedicated in late Aug. there wasn’t any buildings there except a newspaper office. I remember walking around a big hole that was to become Canary Wharf. It was billed as the future tallest building in Europe. I thought the point of it was to put all the ugly modern building in Docklands, leaving the City for beautiful architecture. I was wrong.
One of the weirdest things about all those tall office buildings - they were built to keep the workers inside....bank, travel agent, hairdressers. gym, doctor, dentist etc etc were inside the building or attached to the building. You literally had to force yourself to go outside every once in a while.
I love your off the cuff remarks, Hannah! As others have commented, Canary Wharf does feel a bit dystopian. Having grown up in one major UK city and now living in another one, but having lived in a New Town for nearly 40 years, the 'comfort' I derive from difference between places growing organically with different styles of architecture over the decades and centuries against functional buildings constructed over 20-30 years is well known to me. While accepting there is a large body of water nearby, I smile when I see that Jubilee Park is seen as an oasis of greenery in amongst all the concrete and steel. It is just 3 acres (1 hectare) and will no doubt be rammed with people during the lunch hour.
I Think people go for a walk here, look at the area and are happy to be able to leave it again and not have to live here, because it has no charm at all. And it's that kind of shopping center where if you see something and want to buy it, you'll never find your way back.
Thx Hannah for introducing this very different perspective of what we might think of as "traditional London"! I think the vision of all the developers involved was very creative, but like you, it is probably not one of my personal favorite areas of London! I can only imagine what it must be like to see a weekday activity with 100,000+ people swarming around! Great Job Hannah highlighting this Carary Wharf area of London, & you continue to show the diversity of architecture & building styles that exist in London! Thx again Hannah for ALL your efforts to make these informative vlogs! As always, I look forward to your next edition on Friday afternoon! In the meantime, have a nice weekend Hannah & be safe!
My goodness. I thought I was the only one who felt this way after visiting Canary Wharf! So glad to know you reacted in the same way, Hannah (although not happy to see you suffer like that)! I felt almost guilty myself for hating the place when I was there. CW is depressing. I found it profoundly un-English. From its conception back in the '80s I felt it was trying to be some version of an American city (Manhattan?!), but failed spectacularly. Totally devoid of any life or soul. The river in the centre of everything, while meant to be relaxing, is the central curse, robbing the area of all its vitality and life. There's no action, no hustle and bustle and people racing around delivering stuff or going to work. Compare it to St Kathrine's Dock right under Tower Bridge. Now that is a serene, romantic place to be.
I live 20 minutes walk from Canary Wharf, the DLR sucks right now because of the self-imposed speed restrictions and being shut down almost every weekend this year. I can guarantee you that going from my house to the gym, there will be at least one escalator not working, one door on the train not opening BUT I feel grateful that any store/food place you can imagine is on my doorstep. The city airport isnt too far away and the Elizabeth Line runs through it, so that connects you to everything. One of the plus sides is that there aren't many things for kids or tourist's, so that keeps them away; this is definitely more focused on local city workers and young couples. I lived in many parts of London and feel blessed I now live here (again); I dont have to travel much and I have more free time.
What’s your opinion about the area around Westferry Printworks. I’m interested in a property in a small building on the Westferry Rd and would love to hear your thoughts about the area. Much appreciated! 🙏🏻
Google isn't your friend in Canary Wharf - because it is privately owned and they don't allow Google to map it. Just look at street view for the area and you see a big blank area.
In Google Earth Pro, I can see close details and even the "Photo...graphic History" of Canary Wharf from 1945 till now. (Tool at the bottom left ). Maybe they blocked only MAPS
I happened to attend a small psychedelic exhibition there recently. I was surprised at how busy it was on a Saturday unlike weekends when I’d visited in the 1990s and 2000s. There’s a definite trend towards providing private homes/flats. Those malls are clearly to sevice the workers although it’s a shame you didn’t visit the free garden above the station (at that sci-fi tubular building whereby he Big Easy is.). A bit of nature in that metal and glass jungle.
I worked there for one of the big investment banks from 1997 to 2011 so saw many changes occurring during that time. The shopping mall was good but it was used mainly by the workers, as were all the bars after work. I visited some of the expensive flats as well, but seriously felt sick up on the high floors - so much glass!! But it was a soulless place - going out into the Square for lunch, joining hundreds of other office workers, going to bars, joining hundreds of other office workers. You never really saw any locals or community spirit. Yes, it is modern but all that glass truly makes it feel cold and souless. And have a look as you come in on the DLR from say Bank Station, it is full of high rise council flats where there is no money. It is incongruous. Unless they have knocked those down since I left in 2011 and replaced them with even more expensive glass boxes. One good thing about working there was being on the river.
As someone who worked there previously - you express every sentiment I thought of too. The river was the saviour for a lunchtime walk. But, I agree with everything you said. A desperate place. The chief investment officer at the bank i worked at lived in Wimbledon and cycled in. No one with real money would dream of living there I think. *real money - relative term.
That mall you took us on a tour of reminds me of the one I detest here in Canada....I could scream every time I go there so my visits are minimal. I hear you Hannah! Thank you for taking the time and energy to show us the Canary Mall. I hope you had a good rest after that.
I usually get off at Canary Wharf just to walk to Greenwich but it’s an odd place!! It feels so quiet and like you have to already know how to get to places, otherwise you won’t find them 🤣 I quite like it though, it’s like it’s own little town within London
I worked in the City of London in 1970s for NatWest. On Saturdays your footsteps echoed in the total silence of the whole area, it was completely dead. It was a world of bowler hats and rolled umbrellas strictly 9-5 Monday to Friday..... No-one lived there
It reminds me of Toronto! It's called the PATH and I've had to pop up to the ground level to get my bearings more than once! I used to work at First Canadian Place which is in the financial district of T.O.. Same thing with empty office space as well. Cheers!
Thanks for uploading this Hannah, I used to work in Canary Wharf in the main building! Was there from 1997-2014, a couple of years before the Jubilee line ran there. Tbh I've hardly been back there since I left, think I ws last there in 2018, such a souless place, I don't miss it there xx
It's depressing living there, especially at the weekend. feels like you're just hanging around for 2 days waiting to go backto the office, which you can see from your apartment ssooo glad I moved😅
Used to work there in the late 2000s when the Jubille Line was not as reliable. It always felt like you were marooned on the island. Great for social time back then, bars and clubs.
It was a lot better connected than it was 20 years earlier, when there were basically 2 bus routes (56 & 277) and no trains (no DLR or Tube), and a wall around the docks. Then you were really marooned.
I agree with you Hannah - Canary Wharf is kind of cold and sterile looking, and it doesn't feel like you're in London - you could be anywhere. Also, please can you tell us where you got your coat? It's gorgeous! 😊💕
My work is actually moving to Canary Wharf next year! I like that there are plenty of places to eat and drink, because I'm not looking forward to the long journey to work! 🤣 Can only speak for myself, but it's full on office attendance for me now. For anyone planning to visit, I recommend the London Museum and the Crossrail roof garden 👍
I wouldn't be surprised if you had nightmares about not being able to find an exit to that underground mall, and just going round in endless turns and escalators, trapped in there forever 😱 Definitely not a fan of Canary Wharf's architecture, some individual buildings look ok by themselves, but it's all made doubly worse by the fact most of the highrises use that horrible pale green tinted glass for their windows like at 10:57 which is made even worse when it's reflected onto those blinds. I think that shade is absolutely disgusting! 🤮
The mall is not actually "underground". Canary Wharf is actually a structure which is supported by hundreds of massive piles. There is no solid substrate beneath, just mud, sediment, water. The shops are at one level. There are two levels of car parking beneath the shops.
Agree about the color of the buildings. I do not dislike modern architecture per se, but there are other places where it is done much better. I think Canary Wharf does look depressing and dark, and a bit on the "cheap" side of modern architecture
Worked there in 90s when DLR stopped at 9pm. One pub, a sandwich bar, that was it. Was horrid then. 100% more corporately soulless now. Also went sailing round the docks there in 70s when it was all derelict. Rare birds nesting. It was memorable.
I remember that when working for an investment bank. 9pm was the equivalent of everyone else's 5pm, so working late was the norm. It cost companies huge amounts of money on black cabs then to get their staff home at night. It was one of the richest times for black cabs then.
Worked in The Wharf between 2005 & 2017. Honestly it was never the same really after the financial crisis. Canary Wharf Group also made some really stupid decisions around some of the businesses located there and it's stagnant , dull and full of grossly expensive high rise apartment towers now.
Oh, Hannah! The things you do for your viewers! You entered an architectural brave new world that looks like a reimagining of the silent film Metropolis and is completely cold and, as you discovered, drains the life out of you. But, you gathered some steam and headed downstairs for some absolutely priceless Hannah moments. “I’m flagging. This is making me quite miserable.” “Who designed this? Oh, my God.” “This is terrible.” All the while, I knew in my heart, you always prefer hitting the brick and mortars on the streets of London. And, sure enough, you wrapped it up beautifully at the end with, “Get me back to phone snatching oxford street.” Love it all. Thanks, Hannah. Wonderfully delightful, as usual.
Hannah,you are getting POLITICAL! I Love It! Not on purpose i know but.... 3 of us visited Canary Wharf in November 2022. Not such a great time of year but it was the only free day we all shared. But one of the party had a bad leg and the walking was too much,and we'd only just got there,and it was freezing cold,and blowing a gale,yes it was windy,and then it started to rain and yes google maps does play up there,so we went in that place you show a glimpse of,The London Docklands Museum and spent the afternon there. It was miles better than that opulent and unnaffordable Mall complete with screeching steaming gangs.
It's certainly changed a lot since I was there in 1994. Apparently now there's a 74 story block of flats at the west end of the Isle of Dogs that is all expensive privately owned flats but not one private parking space, it's called the Landmark Pinnacle. That would be heaps of fun for the locals.
@@rokasdobrovolskisYes, I think part of the problem is that the ceilings are quite low. Also knowing that you're underground makes the whole place feel like a glitzy b*mb shelter!
Happy Friday, Hannah! Another great vlog. Interesting to see Canary Wharf through your eyes and hear your thoughts. I can really relate to how you felt about the shopping center experience. Hope you have an amazing weekend. See you next Friday!
I've worked in CW on and off for over 20 years now. It really hasn't changed massively in that time, I would say it's been a gentle evolution with the expanded shopping centre and some new office buildings near the river. The biggest changes have been in the surrounding area which is mostly residential. I lived there for a couple of a years and it's really quite a despressing place, especially at the weekends. It's a decent place to work though, you have everything you need right there and the transport is good. In my younger days I used to enjoy drinks after work there, lots of fun. PS Massimo Dutti has closed, yes I was sad too.
You mean apart from the added multiple office and residential tower blocks, the underground mall, the jubilee line, the Elizabeth line, reebok sports centre, multiple hotels…. Yeah not much has changed 😂
@@PaulForeman-indievisuals I mean yes, there has been changes, but they have been gradual and the overall vibe is exactly as it was 20 years ago. Doesn’t feel much different to me.
What a great video and such an interesting place. It doesn’t feel like London looking at most of those buildings, and that underground Mall…wow! We love it when you add the history and items such as the maps. Well done and thanks for the tour! ❤
I worked there from April 2006 to July 2007, and absolutely hated it! It probably didn't help that I also hated my job there, but back then it was such an dull, soulless place. At least it's got a bit more character these days I suppose. I did visit a few years ago to do a bit of urban photography, which was quite fun. But I would never consider working there again, and certainly couldn't imagine actually living there...how awful! 😆
To respond to your question, no the urban “renewal” area is not my current location desire. However, I do remember 50 years ago when in my 20’s and it was quite my style because of being professional, young, and monied. That’s always a glittering ✨ combination. And despite what many people might think as long as our cities have central location proximity and limited space it will be the path for the professional, the young, and the monied. 🎊 ❤
You missed out the best attraction (which everyone misses... maybe it's a bit niche) - the Traffic Light Tree! It's technically a sculpture. But first time I saw it I thought it was real. It's amazing. I worked in Canary Wharf shortly after it was built in 1998-2000, Cabot Square. It felt modern, and as a young IT worker in banking I felt important getting my Starbucks on the way to work (Starbucks was a recent US import, we had nothing like that back then... wouldn't be seen dead there now). My brother bought a flat in Limehouse to work in Canary Wharf in the late 90s. I find the area really interesting still. I think a lot of people come here because they think it's "London", mostly silly foreigners - to shop. Why shop? It has changed so much since then, same vibe, just LOADS more eating places. I remember after work everyone used to go to the same bar. Thousands of people working there and literally only about 2 bars. Fun video.
@@timeforcoffee485 yes! Slug and Lettuce. I thought it was that but couldn’t remember for sure. Where we all went. Imagine - just two bars for the whole of Canary Wharf, compared with now…
You said the DLR makes you laugh.. as someone who comes from a small "city" that has 3 buses per day to get you to the city, I find the DLR amazing. The fact it's driverless absolutely blew my mind. Well aware this is not new technology but I'm from Northern Ireland so...
There aren't many places where you can take out a major transport system and still get around. The DLR will get you to South London or Up to Stratford, the District Line or the Central Line and some decent bus routes. Is the Jubilee Line often 'down'?
![HANNOVER GERMANY🇩🇪 CHRISTMAS MARKET WALKING TOUR 4k 2024[FULL TOUR]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PV4EzD6WfCM/mqdefault.jpg)
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Quick, block the channel, don't want to see tory MP wannabee grifting off YewChewb. Channel blocked neva coming back Byeeee!!
Is there any old architecture like pubs left on the Isle of Dogs? I just checked google earth and there’s one solitary old beautiful pub called the lord Nelson.
I've got to be honest I'm a little bit bitter with this one! I was born in this area and can trace my entire family on both sides to this area towards Liverpool street to under 300 years! Sadly they pushed us all out to a compulsory purchase order making it impossible to remain. In my opinion it's now a place with no heartbeat. I wished I could convey to you what an amazing vibrant happy kind place it was. Everyone was so happy and helped each other because several generations before us were deeply affected still by the war. It was a kind of " we are lucky to be alive" attitude. They spent their whole lives and worked very hard to buy their homes which they were very proud of and then the VERY corrupt Tower Hamlets Council put compulsory purchase orders on their homes and after 3 FAKE valuations offered only 2 thirds or less of the value which meant people didn't have enough to rebuy in the area. Even worse many people were self employed in the local little market and had shops, market stalls and pubs and they were given next to nothing so they lost their community,homes and jobs!
I'm sorry you've lost that! 😞
So sad ur childhood memories disturbed with displacement. South Africa did the same with Group Areas Act.
.I feel your pain it's similar to where they built most of the olympic stuff.whole community's torn apart...I weep for the London of my youth .
Don't worry it would all be muslim now anyway
Imagine thinking you’re more important than the health of a nation
I live in London and very occasionally visit Canary Wharf. I am always struck how outsized it is compared to London overall. It is a picture perfect vision of a futuristic city, clean, full of well dressed beautiful people going about their business. To me I am reminded of those 1970s perfect futuristic dystopian cities just before civilisation is about to collapse into chaos.
Yes. This!
Yikes.
i live in Canary Wharf, since 2011
it changes so fast it feels very weird here, and because of the absurd service charges and leaseholds, and being able to work mostly online, I'm finally moving out next year - in some weird way i will miss it
I worked in Canary Wharf from 1994 until a few months ago, with a break of a couple of years in the City which is where I am now working again. I also lived at the edge of Canary Wharf from 1997 to 2003. Having a 5 minute walk to work was great ! The area has changed dramatically from the early days. Having so much on your doorstep is one plus of living there. I had a great time. My eldest son graduated from university earlier this year, and guess what ? He has just started his first job - in Canary Wharf !
The UA-camr said there is a lack of air-conditioning there. Is it the constant phenomenon there? How come an underground mall doesn’t turn on air-conditioning? I don’t like that either but at least you need proper ventilation to ensure people working there won’t feel suffocated!
@bear2514 It always seemed fine to me, but I never really spent hours wandering around down there. If I ever shopped I knew exactly which shop to go to, buy what I wanted then left
@@PeteSQ Thanks for the reply 😀
This is so wholesome ❤
That must put you in the first generation of workers to have worked almost an entire career in CW and seen it transform from the early buildings built around the DLR to the latest version.
I visited once in the mid-90s and it was a pretty dull place, but by the time I came to work there in the 2010s, it had massively expanded, especially with the underground shopping.
I can't say I ever particularly liked it - and like most workers never really stepped outside - you could do everything underground, even getting to the office. It was always too windy to enjoy the outside apart from a few afternoons a year.
I love Canary Wharf! It’s clean and, safe and has the best transport links in London. You should visit in December when the Christmas lights are up - the whole place is transformed into a winter wonderland!
Poor girl deserves a medal for putting herself through that! The most fake,sterile,depressing place in London.
@@baliksupper6043I love it but I hate the mall.
@@potato1084 It kept me going through lockdown though. Waitrose had my favourite beer.
@@MyRackley In the whole of Canary Wharf, Waitrose is the only really affordable place to go for fresh food. Of course you can go to Leon etc but its not really fresh now is it.
Canary Wharf is the Chicago of london , during the day it’s ok to have a wonder around but at night it’s a crime fest ..
I have worked at Canary Wharf for almost 20 years. For me the best thing is it’s like being in its own little bubble. It’s very clean, it’s very safe, no beggars, no litter and rubbish everywhere, because it’s privately owned you won’t see people setting up tents or people selling things in the streets. There are designated areas for smoking. When you drive on and off the island, there is security.
There is a really good selection of shops and if it’s really hot, it’s got Aircon if it’s really cold you’re covered and warm and most of the buildings you can access to shopping centre without even going outside.
I really like working there and much prefer it to the city
Must be great not being bothered by poor people.
@@bobikdylan I understand the sentiment behind their comment. I live in the Pacific Northwest (USA) and you will get *compassion fatigue* very quickly around here. There are so many drugs, tents and crime that it’s downright dangerous in so many public places nowadays. Poor people aren’t the problem but the grifters and criminals who hide amongst them can make it extremely dangerous (and exhausting) at times.
@@bobikdylanyes it’s very great. England has so much opportunity for work and to make money there’s no excuse. If you develop a drug habit why is it up to rest of us to give you money to pay for more drugs smh
@@bobikdylan ... by migrants from Afghanistan. 😆
@@rage_fusionabsolutely agree, I hate being hounded in the street by druggies. It happened to me the other day, this woman putting on a breathing condition worthy of a bad Oscar. I listened to her and told her I don’t carry cash. She got on my nerves
I was there at the start of Canary Wharf, building Hertsmere House, then worked there from 1995 to 2018, when we relocated to Amsterdam. The issue is more the surrounding apartment blocks, all built to sell expensive apartments with mega facilities (private dining rooms and cinema rooms etc) all intended for sale to the Chinese, who didn’t buy, now turned into serviced apartments for the banks own staff or rented out for way too much to desperate workers trying to save money on their monthly travel cards.
I think this is not only a problem in Canary Wharf, I believe. I get your point, but I think the high end/expensive appartments being built in London and other large cities like New York, are not for living. The wealthy people can afford those flats use them as saving accounts, as an investment. Most of them do not even rent them out, which increase even more the housing crisis. I watched once an interview when a Hong Kong guy said he purchased an expensive appartment in London because it was cheaper here than in Hong Kong.
People have said to me they can't sell their property in Canary Wharf and they want to get out. When you see prices of £875K for a little flat it is no wonder residents are trying to get out.
Perhaps using Quantum Physics and Quantum mechanics will help
Uhm it’s not that much for London tbh. 😂😂 My area it’s £1.2 mil for a new(ish) 2 bed flat. Thank God for social housing ig. Only way I’ve been able to grow up in affluent areas.
@@Sketchbook999 metaphysics and deconstruction always shines a bright light.
@@potato1084 You make a very good point.
Don't fall in the void!!
I worked on Canary Wharf in the early 00s. It was described as being ‘the place to be’ but even back then all the domineering steel, glass and concrete just made it feel soulless. Looking back in many ways it reflected the mindset of its populace: ostentatious and transactional.
But what I - and many colleagues of that time - found really grim, was the juxtaposition of have:have not. The width of a road would separate extreme wealth from extreme poverty and at times it almost felt like living in a social experiment. My company did a lot of outreach to try and help that community.
It’s strange to see the area again. It brings back a real mixture of emotions: some unforgettable boozy sessions, but also the madness of 07/08. Thank you for sharing Hannah and yes, you’re not alone in finding it very depressing.
Area’s should be allowed to evolve naturally over time, this never happened in this part of the East End. CW was just created and put there because the land was available and relatively cheap. It in no way identifies with the old East End or with the values and concerns of the people who previously lived there.
Everything about it is totally false.
From my 15 years working there, I agree. I joined my company's Schools Reading Project, visiting local schools at lunchtime to help the kids learn to read. It was worthwhile, but at the same time it totally outlined those who have and those who have not.
Look up Gary Stevenson. He was one of those who grew up poor in the shadow of Canary Wharf as it was being built. Although his face didn’t fit, he ended up working there as a millionaire trader and now speaks on that inequality you speak of as he’s seen things from both side of that road.
@@timeforcoffee485I did that reading thing to for a couple of years - a great idea
Are u talking about the community in poplar or isle of dogs on the other side. The view of these massive glass buildings towering over council estates in poplar truly is such a juxtaposition. It makes me always think of how people live completely two different lives when I walk through poplar high street past the estates, while looking up at the view of Barclays, HSBC, KPMG and Bank of America.
This has become the issue all across america, the downtown working districts are empty. In San Francisco we are at nearly 40% empty buildings and we don't know what to do. You're lucky that London has a more diverse downtown!
San Francisco is like zombie apocalypse literally homeless people outside x aka twitter building
@@Lemingtona-x5g SF and LA have a lot of vacant units in buildings. There is no will on the part of politicians to do anything. My cousin was disgusted with the encampments, addicts, and property crime levels of both cities. He got out at first chance he could.
@@BunnyWatson-k1w strange country USA, they give billions to Ukraine and other corrupt nations or foreign interests but their own not so much. Seems almost like its state level con on taking care of its own citizens, the tax they give back less to their own
It is almost like leaving the housing market mostly unregulated was a bad idea 🤷🏻♂️ Rampant greed and ownership of housing is a horrible combination. There should be strict regulations for how much rent can go up, and how much housing can go up in price.
@@martinjrgensen8234 radical, those views are like Hitler and socialism
Canary Wharf is the place I’ve always liked to hang out in London especially family friendly for the kids. Safe and clean. A breath of fresh air from hustle and bustle of central London. What’s not to like !
God,you’re easy to please.
@@baliksupper6043 I know right. That feeling when you go somewhere you like and had a positive experience and share that with others. Yep easy to please!
@@baliksupper6043are you easily pleased or does it take hard work to please you, your Highness?
london used to be alot cleaner
@ depends on what part of London you are referring to!
Cheers Hannah, this is Sean in Atlanta! OK, I’m gonna probably get hammered for saying this, but I actually love Canary Wharf! I love the architecture and I love the fact that you can walk around all those inlets and look at some of the coolest buildings in the world! I also love the fact that they left those old cranes in place which looks amazing to me! I also enjoyed that underground shopping area at Canada Place, I believe it was called. We just don’t have anything like Canary Wharf in America that I know of. I have to confess that I just simply love London!
On my last trip to London, I was staying in Earls Court. I walked from there to Canary Wharf and back to Tower Bridge and I was pretty pooped at the end of the day! I also discovered an incredible canal area to walk near Tobacco Dock, or Shadwell Basin, somewhere in that area, along the Thames Path. It was the best walk! Oh, I also had a morning beer at The Grapes, Sir Ian’s pub. You know, Gandalf!
Hey, great segway into NordVPN! That was smooth! Haha!
You don’t strike me as a hooligan, so I would never have thought you knocked down those bikes! Maybe we don’t know you as well as we would like…
You’re talking about the fact that there are five underground malls and I did not know that. I only went in the one at Canada Place and then I wanted to keep exploring. Five connected malls? I must check them out next time.
This is definitely one of my favourite videos you have put out! I guess I will be considered strange, but I really like that area and walking along the Thames Path back to Tower Bridge was extraordinary!
Thanks for this excellent video, Hannah!
Sean
P.S. Love your coat!
You walked all the way from Earls Court to canary wharf? Take a bow 😊😊
@@viktrader I did! But you have to remember, I have loved London my whole life even though I live in Atlanta. So, it wasn’t tiring to me at all because I was exploring and seeing the things that I had only seen in pictures. But by the time I finished Canary Wharf and walked back to Tower Bridge, I was pretty wiped out and took the tube to Earls Court.
I love cannary wharf too!
probably safest place in london
@@searam1 Theres a scheme in New York by the same developer - Olympia & York - that has some similarities.
It's on tne Hudson River. And I now can't quite remember what its called, World Finance Centre or something.
What saves Canary Wharf is the fact it's also very residential not just businesses. And central London. I've been to La Defense in Paris, which is just business and it's totally dead, horrible place.
Canary Wharf is not in Central London. It's the east end. DLR trainnis great though. One can escape faster from that hell hole.
Canary Wharf used to be a ghost town in the 90s over the weekends, there are a lot more offices and residential towers now, plus the whole shopping mall and restaurants. Not to mention it now has jubilee line and Elizabeth lines to add to an expanded DLR.
Having said which I don’t find it as busy down there as it was pre Covid years
@@PaulForeman-indievisuals My son lives there, and he loves it. His office is just a short walk away, he can get into central London in 15 minutes and there's shops etc all around.
@@frcluc Well, it seems pretty central to me. Metropolitan London sprawls out with a population of 14 million people yeah? And almost no one lives in the City of London, so what are you actually talking about?
@@idanceforpennies281 city of London is part of central London, but Canary Wharf is not. Geography.
I went to Canary Wharf for the first time last month. The main reason is that the Lizzy line took 25 mins from West London. After 2 hours, I was a tad bored and left. I felt like I was in a dystopian sci-fi movie set being observed.
I totally agree with you.
"Big brother is watching you"...
Indeed! I always feel like I'm stuck in a JG Ballard novel when in Canary Wharf.
People say the same about Dubai but I love* both.
Couldn’t have put it any better!
Lived in the Uk for three years only left recently and Canary Wharf was always my favorite place to visit. It just made me feel somewhat fulfilled and excited as an architecture nerd can't really explain it. I hope i can visit again soon 😊
Watch 'A Long Good Friday' and you'll see what it looked like just before they redeveloped it in the 80s.
And now there's been an ERUPTION !!
Great movie, and it looked a lot better pre development.
NOOOO
Harold had planned to develop the area. Then not long after the movie it all got developed irl
@@renatolaranja52 moral is...never go to a stock-car meeting as your plans will change !
Actually it wasnt a reduction in world shipping that reduced the activity of ports in central London. The increase in road traffic was also not related to the change.
Rather it was the increase in international container shipping that needed larger ships than London could cope with - hence the shift to the coasts.
Containerisation in general. Everything at that time got pushed down to Tilbury. A very odd place. I had to fix someone's car as a mobile mech down there and it felt that the area was kind of stuck in the 70's.
Yes, exactly. Less warehousing too
@saltymonke3682 That's a fair point,but this was where they were raised& family's worked in the Docks..And then they were given choices to live where I wonder?
@@jerryoshea3116 they're compensated before the development
@saltymonke3682 They're was a lot of people living over there ( around 20.000) so I wonder what they were given?
Thing is they built this in one of the poorest parts of London, while it beats a WW2 bombed out derelict area which some of it was, but in terms of local people they were farmed out to the new towns and this left the estates around it disenfranchised, it became a magnet for money and wealth, though I remember back in the early 90's when the then big recession hit, that the whole project nearly stalled, I worked there near the then design museum, and a lot of the buildings wereunfinished, unoccupied shells. I like urban renewal and you can't stop progress, but there's a need to keep in mind the 'ordinary' local Londoner rather than a Chinese or Gulf Sate property investor.
@@stephentalas1940 I remember the 80s when most of the flats were being sold countless times, each at a huge profit, yet nobody actually moved in... Meanwhile the locals looked on helpless, in their cold, damp, mold infested flats..
I was in college in 1991 in the US (St. Louis) working at an Italian Deli, and we hired a guy from Isle of Dogs. His accent was so different we could barely understand him, but he was great and he mentioned the construction taking place there. I brought in an architectural magazine that had story about it, and how it was having problems being built and protests from the locals. He confirmed it all as he said he actually worked on the docks. So my first time to London I stayed at the Marriott Canary Wharf and really enjoy myself. It has sentimental value for me, but it’s just interesting it might fail after all.
I live in Islington but worked all over Canary Wharf from the mid-nineties until seven years ago.I remember it only had one low ceiling shopping area ,some of the others was added on from underground car parks,that’s why it’s it’s all over the place and not straight forward to get around.I was a service engineer so visited all of the buildings,lunch time was a nightmare not enough room for too many people.The last time is was there my wife treated me to dinner for my birthday at boisdales ( I did some work in there when it opened) Canary Wharf will always have a special place in my heart from the security guards / receptionists to all the people I have met there ❤
Canary Wharf is a great place to be. We used to live on Narrow Street. The great thing was the weekends when it became quiet. During the summer there is loads of free shows. Christmas you get shows etc. Everything you need is on your doorstep. Loved living there.
That's so cool.
Me too. Wood Wharf here at The Vertus and miss looking at the Wharf everyday and even saw a few mega yachts below my apartment block and so many events and stuff to do in CW.
When you thank the sun for coming out it reminds me of my study abroad semester in London; I never was thankful for sunny days in the US but boy was I glad to see the sun when I was in London. I suppose you don't know what you'll miss until it's gone.
Friday nights with Hannah are the best!! 🥂🤗
Canary Wharf is a bit of a weird area indeed. It feels cold, somewhat empty and very corporate with those glass towers everywhere. Reminds me of London's version of Battery Park City, the World Trade Center, Hudson Yards & downtown Jersey City in New York. Especially with the underground mall, what a maze. You can easily get lost down there.
This area of London reminds me of downtown Toronto. The major banks and insurance companies have their head office there. Lots of skyscrapers here. And the old railway yards were developed into condominiums. The whole skyline of Toronto changed in fact with tons of tall condo buildings, particularly since 2000. The goal was to convince younger singles and couples to have a short commute to work, some even walking to their office in 10 minutes. Many other office workers who owned houses commuted by train from neighboring cities. Since 2020 many people now work from home, and a lot of office space remains empty. There is an underground shopping center just like at Canary Wharf. In Toronto they call it "The Path" with a mall that stretches many city blocks, all underground. The Path complex was built when people actually worked in offices. It was very busy Monday through Friday. Business was so bad on weekends about half the shops were closed. All of this in 2024 has changed. Foot traffic at The Path is not what it used to be. Many office workers now work from home and foot traffic at street level is also minimal on weekdays and weekends.
I thought the original investors who built the massive towers were Canadian. They went bust doing it.
@@Andrew-rc3vh Yes. The reichmanns. They also built First Canadian Place in Toronto which is a central part of the Path which I recently read is the largest underground shopping complex in the world. It was convenient in the winter for lunch and a bit of shopping if you worked downtown.
Right! And even parts are similar to the Harbourfront.
Yea....getting big Toronto vibes....like a combo of waterfront + Financial District with the massive PATH underground city.
Yes this was conceived and first built by Canadians.
I am an immigrant in London, after two years moving only between the areas of Newham, Hackney and Shoreditch I visited Canary Wharf one day and I didn't feel like I was in London but in Toronto or New York, I have never been in Toronto or New York but I have seen photos.
I'm from East end and I also do not feel like I'm in London
It’s a soulless place. I don’t get how people enjoy places like this
@@Ivanmedarev83258 chill out Ivan
I’m a Torontonian born and raised (now living in Shoreditch). Canary wharf is INCREDIBLY SIMILAR to downtown Toronto. In fact, if I remember correctly the main developer of canary wharf (Olympia & York) was originally a Canadian company who built it with inspiration of Toronto’s banking district.
@@lotfiiI Also lived in London for nearly ten yrs and thought the same about canary wharf, I remember it only to be busy during the week seems like this has changed
Back in the day a friend of mine moved to Canary Wharf, when he left his wife and set up with his mistress as they both worked in finance. What a soulless place. Could I work or live there, not a hope in hell. I was medical anyway and living out where I grew up, a little dell opposite our house, that is a tiny park with a pond. It was so quiet in there even though the Paddington to SW trains were on the other side of the Dell, planes into Heathrow overhead and the local mental health hospital down the road. A short walk and there was greenery. Now I live in a small Northamptonshire town. Hannah, look after yourself. Don't forget to rest a bit. Thank you for another amazing tour. x
Northamptonshire has lovely cottage homes with lands.
I agree, it was soulless. Awful place to be.
good on you for mentioning the local mental hospital as a selling point for the area.
@wendymartin6479 It's now the local General Hospital. I worked in a Mental Health Hospital for 5 years and that dispelled many myths I had been raised with. Our old home was very easily sold and I had the most wonderful life the 19 years I lived there.
Living in a small Northamptonshire town sounds as exciting as chewing a bag of rubber bands.
Cool video Hannah - First of yours I have watched. I have lived in CW for the last 4 years. Have also worked here on and off in the last 15. Previously lived in Kensington and Marylebone. For me I am a big fan. Like anywhere it will suit some people and not others but there are lots more positives than negatives to the place, and yep you get used to the layout quite quickly and navigating is super easy.
I used to go there for meetings back in the day. Been up the original Canary Wharf tower and visited someone who lived in one of those apartments overlooking the water. It’s changed and been developed a lot since then.
Too many glass towers make an area feel cold. The charm of the original buildings is overpowered by the imposing structures.
Well wtf do you expect? It's financial district full of banks, law and insurance companies. And about 'old buildings', are you nostalgic over a rundown dockyard? It's like going to Manhattan and complaining about the lack of greenery.
Also London is already one of the greenest major cities on Earth. London isn't just the small bits of Canary Wharf or the City.
😂
I studied in London, UK from 1988 to 1994. Canary Wharf was built new back then with some nice restaurants and pubs. The train was first of its kind.
Brilliant to see your Canary Wharf video - I love it there so much. The Waitress is terrific, and the whole shopping centre underneath is fantastic. During my London trip last year I spent lots of time visiting Canary Wharf. It's awesome. Fantastic shops and restaurants as well. Love it.
That was supposed to say the Waitrose is fantastic!!!
This is an old clip. Canary Wharf is not like this now. Perhaps I do a video on Canary Wharf today.
Glad to see you make it over to the East 😊 I started work there in the mid 80s when nothing else was there and watched it slowly develop. Now I deliver around the area and I'm always amazed just how developed it's become.
HUGE, modern, cold ... I much prefer "Old London" and the traditional architecture (but then, no one asked or cares what I think). Montreal has a lot of underground shopping too because of the winter snow. Like your navy trench (?), very classy, Hannah.
I'm from the Scottish countryside. My sister who lives next to the millennium dome took me a walk around canary wharf. I must admit it feels very claustrophobic but at the same time you don't have to worry about cars, buses etc and plenty places to eat and shop. Certainly less pigeons😊. All in all I quite like canary wharf but still prefer to live in the Scottish countryside!!!
Good afternoon, I loved the outside of Canary Wharf and the parks and spots to sit with some green are really nice but I felt almost claustrophobic in the underground mall. I agree that it probably has most anything you could need in regards to shopping but it just seems a bit depressing. It does seem to have a lot of tube stations so it would be easy to get to but then that also makes it easy to leave and go home when you've had enough. LOL Thank you again for the time and effort that you always put into these. You are always so at ease when chatting with us. Have a great weekend all. Cheers from Ontario Canada
there's actually a very interesting Docklands Museum there too
I was going to say the same! I went some years ago and really enjoyed it.
Go there instead of the Mall. Warm,great cafe + the old east end life in photos and artifacts.
It is an extension of the Museum of London.
@@Iskandar64 it's super.
And that makes up for the other hideousness?
As someone who grew up with the shopping centres of Australia, I really don't find the shopping malls in Canary Wharf hard to navigate. Also there are maps but they look like ad displays
The clocks that you pointed out did, up until a few years ago, show different time zones from around the world.
So glad you got a sunny day so you could see the sky and clouds reflected on the glass on the buildings . I couldn’t live or work in the area .. a bit too claustrophobic, but it’s certainly an interesting area to walk around outside , but the underground shopping would finish me off . Looks so airless . Really enjoy your videos .
Loved visiting Canary Wharf although we did not realise that there was a large shopping centre underground. The London Museum of Docklands was our reason for visiting. My husband’s grandparents were born in Poplar and came out to NZ after WWI. They went back in the 1950’s and the streets they gre up in had been flattened during WWII. Agree about the numbers of restaurants, bars, etc.
I was there on the 5th October and it was really busy.
I used to live in Wapping (1981-2014). I worked for Tower hamlets council and we were once based in Jack Dash House and then Millharbour near South Quay DLR. Used to walk in good weather from Canary Wharf after having a coffee in JL/Waitrose to my flat in Wapping. When I retired I moved to a village in North Germany near the seaside (North Sea) to join my only brother
I visited London and surrounding areas back in '94. It changed my life. I saw so much, experienced so much, and I wouldn't change it for anything. I hope to one day be able to visit again before I die. I loved it so much! I don't know how many times I ended up at Harrods, but it was more than a few!
London is the best but this place is a nightmare!
I worked in Canary Wharf...it's got more shops now, but still "soul-less". Was there during the London bombings and they shut off all public transport, so ALOT of people were just stuck there. The last straw was when I had a panic attack in the underground shopping centre. Happily working in the City now...
That shopping center was gross. It was all hard slick surfaces, zero warmth, zero wood,few places to sit and claustrophobic. The outside spaces were the same, very little green spaces, just miles of concrete and glass. Give me the country any day. No thanks. But thank you Hannah for taking us there.
I think you need to check again, there was always a park space with water feature, there is now a recently opens new green area built in conjunction with the Eden project, and a short walk and you are into the waterside docks and even an urban farm. The main Canary Wharf area isn’t even a mile across so don’t know where you are walking. It’s designed and built for a purpose and there are loads of open spaces nearby if you look!
Imagine living there - ugh!
A family member of mine lived there, and the views from their high-rise apartment were fantastic. They loved it so much that they wouldn't want to live anywhere else. The area is very clean compared to other parts of London, which can be quite filthy. The security is excellent; when you live on the island, the security team recognise you, they have security stop points as you drive in. There’s no graffiti or chewing gum on the pavements, and there are good restaurants nearby. They have since moved to a lovely place abroad.
CW has got too busy now as there isn’t really anywhere else worth a visit, Oxford Street a big No.
Overall, I find London to be filthy, from the tubes to the trains. Seldom do you see cleaners, and people generally think it’s okay to be a slob. There seems to be a lack of pride or appreciation.
Nice to see you over my side of London.
The outdoor part was interesting, but I found the mall to be claustrophobic. Thanks for taking us there!
You read my mind there! Just before reading your comment I was thinking it might be claustrophobic for me. Bet phone signal not great either.
I agree
Hannah I just love your videos. Beautifully filmed and presented in such a lovely style. Stumbled across your channel and I am totally hooked. Such a lovely lady showing us the delights of otherwise, of our cities and travel. Amazing content ❤❤❤❤
From what I've heard/read,.a lot of the apts in Canary Wharf are empty--either being bought as investments or for someone who spends just 1 or 2 months in London.
I live in canary wharf and most residential buildings in the nights are all light up from top to ground floor, ot wouldn't if it was empty.
@@jackgu8644 most people I have come across don’t know a single thing about Canary Wharf and the surrounding areas, yet they have a lot of views and “knowledge” 😂
Most complain about public transportation, so stupid! It is a well connected area, it is on the jubilee and Elizabeth lines, has DLR (more reliable than any other public transportation!) which takes you to the city in some 10-15 minutes.
I think development is good as long as it brings jobs and wealth to local residents. In this case, exactly the opposite happened. They built offices and office workers commuted miles away. Rents started increasing in the area and became unaffordable for the local people. We can see now it is coming to an end...
Was in London for the first time last month (first time outside North America), and I stayed in Canary Wharf. Really enjoyed staying there. Steps away from the Elizabeth Line, DLR, and Underground. Main thing I did in London was seeing West End shows, so I didn’t spend much time in Canary Wharf outside my hotel. And yes, it was very easy to get lost.
This video made me realize I missed a lot when I was there. But I’m already thinking of a 2025 visit.
Personally I’d say it’s a decent place to work, tons of shops (the Waitrose even used to have its own wine bar, not sure if it still does) and you can get to the office underground without getting wet when it’s raining. I’m not sure I’d want to live there though. I suspect most people who do, just have a crash pad, for working Monday - Friday, and go to their country house at the weekend.
They used to have a steak restaurant in Waitrose too and it was great! 👍
Wine bar is still there
Yes, you can plot up for a spot of free wine tasting, or buy a bottle off the shelf, take to the open bar area and sup away
Inspired by this film, my wife and I thought a visit to Canary Wharf was long overdue, so this morning we paid a visit and stayed for a few hours. Did lots of walking, and had lunch before coming home. I travelled on the DLR for the first time in 1988 in the same week it was opened by the Queen, and back then it was like a journey through the biggest building site in the world. It's worth nothing that there are thousands of empty apartments at Canary Wharf, bought by overseas purchasers who buy them, not to let, but as investments.
It wouldn't hurt their pockets if they also let them. 🤔
Some of those rules could be introduced into downtown London! As an international recent visitor I was shocked at the amount of fast paced balaclava scooters racing through the crowds and in 10 days I never saw a Bobby / policeman? Very unnerving
There is no such thing as "downtown" in London, or europe, or anything outside US/Canada/Australia for that matter.
@@frcluc What we know as the West End could be equivalent.
I lived their for 7 years. Took a long time to get used to it. I worked there also. with local river walks to islington along the canals and walks to Greenwich using the underground Tunnel made up for the all the glass and metal of Canary Wharf. Great video. Much Love.
Thanks for showing us around this part of London, I lived in Poplar in the early 60s the flats were facing the thames river,the malls no give me petticoat Lane any day,I still remember my address east India dock Road Poplar now I live in a beautiful town in Almeria 😊
In nyc, where I live, downtown office district has sky scrapers built in classic gothic stone masonry style, which is lovely to see, while the mid town office area is all modern glass office buildings like canary wharf, and it’s a bit soulless.
When I was a student in the UK in 1987, I got a temp job with the DLR, which had just been dedicated in late Aug. there wasn’t any buildings there except a newspaper office. I remember walking around a big hole that was to become Canary Wharf. It was billed as the future tallest building in Europe. I thought the point of it was to put all the ugly modern building in Docklands, leaving the City for beautiful architecture. I was wrong.
Thanks!
Thanks for the support!!
Yes,all the metal and glass and empty pockets are a bit of a downer😮,when you think of all the great architecture London offers in other areas.
One of the weirdest things about all those tall office buildings - they were built to keep the workers inside....bank, travel agent, hairdressers. gym, doctor, dentist etc etc were inside the building or attached to the building. You literally had to force yourself to go outside every once in a while.
Yay It's Friday with Hannah Yay
I love your off the cuff remarks, Hannah! As others have commented, Canary Wharf does feel a bit dystopian. Having grown up in one major UK city and now living in another one, but having lived in a New Town for nearly 40 years, the 'comfort' I derive from difference between places growing organically with different styles of architecture over the decades and centuries against functional buildings constructed over 20-30 years is well known to me. While accepting there is a large body of water nearby, I smile when I see that Jubilee Park is seen as an oasis of greenery in amongst all the concrete and steel. It is just 3 acres (1 hectare) and will no doubt be rammed with people during the lunch hour.
I Think people go for a walk here, look at the area and are happy to be able to leave it again and not have to live here, because it has no charm at all. And it's that kind of shopping center where if you see something and want to buy it, you'll never find your way back.
Thx Hannah for introducing this very different perspective of what we might think of as "traditional London"! I think the vision of all the developers involved was very creative, but like you, it is probably not one of my personal favorite areas of London! I can only imagine what it must be like to see a weekday activity with 100,000+ people swarming around! Great Job Hannah highlighting this Carary Wharf area of London, & you continue to show the diversity of architecture & building styles that exist in London! Thx again Hannah for ALL your efforts to make these informative vlogs! As always, I look forward to your next edition on Friday afternoon! In the meantime, have a nice weekend Hannah & be safe!
My goodness. I thought I was the only one who felt this way after visiting Canary Wharf! So glad to know you reacted in the same way, Hannah (although not happy to see you suffer like that)! I felt almost guilty myself for hating the place when I was there.
CW is depressing. I found it profoundly un-English. From its conception back in the '80s I felt it was trying to be some version of an American city (Manhattan?!), but failed spectacularly. Totally devoid of any life or soul. The river in the centre of everything, while meant to be relaxing, is the central curse, robbing the area of all its vitality and life. There's no action, no hustle and bustle and people racing around delivering stuff or going to work.
Compare it to St Kathrine's Dock right under Tower Bridge. Now that is a serene, romantic place to be.
I live 20 minutes walk from Canary Wharf, the DLR sucks right now because of the self-imposed speed restrictions and being shut down almost every weekend this year. I can guarantee you that going from my house to the gym, there will be at least one escalator not working, one door on the train not opening BUT I feel grateful that any store/food place you can imagine is on my doorstep. The city airport isnt too far away and the Elizabeth Line runs through it, so that connects you to everything. One of the plus sides is that there aren't many things for kids or tourist's, so that keeps them away; this is definitely more focused on local city workers and young couples. I lived in many parts of London and feel blessed I now live here (again); I dont have to travel much and I have more free time.
What’s your opinion about the area around Westferry Printworks. I’m interested in a property in a small building on the Westferry Rd and would love to hear your thoughts about the area. Much appreciated! 🙏🏻
Google isn't your friend in Canary Wharf - because it is privately owned and they don't allow Google to map it. Just look at street view for the area and you see a big blank area.
Bizarre!!
In Google Earth Pro, I can see close details and even the "Photo...graphic History" of Canary Wharf from 1945 till now. (Tool at the bottom left ). Maybe they blocked only MAPS
Insane
its because its finance centre and high security.
@@harry.flashman money doesn't exist though
I happened to attend a small psychedelic exhibition there recently. I was surprised at how busy it was on a Saturday unlike weekends when I’d visited in the 1990s and 2000s. There’s a definite trend towards providing private homes/flats. Those malls are clearly to sevice the workers although it’s a shame you didn’t visit the free garden above the station (at that sci-fi tubular building whereby he Big Easy is.). A bit of nature in that metal and glass jungle.
I worked there for one of the big investment banks from 1997 to 2011 so saw many changes occurring during that time. The shopping mall was good but it was used mainly by the workers, as were all the bars after work. I visited some of the expensive flats as well, but seriously felt sick up on the high floors - so much glass!! But it was a soulless place - going out into the Square for lunch, joining hundreds of other office workers, going to bars, joining hundreds of other office workers. You never really saw any locals or community spirit. Yes, it is modern but all that glass truly makes it feel cold and souless. And have a look as you come in on the DLR from say Bank Station, it is full of high rise council flats where there is no money. It is incongruous. Unless they have knocked those down since I left in 2011 and replaced them with even more expensive glass boxes. One good thing about working there was being on the river.
As someone who worked there previously - you express every sentiment I thought of too. The river was the saviour for a lunchtime walk. But, I agree with everything you said. A desperate place. The chief investment officer at the bank i worked at lived in Wimbledon and cycled in. No one with real money would dream of living there I think. *real money - relative term.
@@immiPlanet Do you remember there used to be at least one big cruising ship in the dock area at some points during the year?
That mall you took us on a tour of reminds me of the one I detest here in Canada....I could scream every time I go there so my visits are minimal. I hear you Hannah! Thank you for taking the time and energy to show us the Canary Mall. I hope you had a good rest after that.
I usually get off at Canary Wharf just to walk to Greenwich but it’s an odd place!! It feels so quiet and like you have to already know how to get to places, otherwise you won’t find them 🤣 I quite like it though, it’s like it’s own little town within London
You walk from Canary Wharf to Greenwich?
@@MyRackley Greenwich Foot Tunnel
@@MyRackleyyes it’s a nice walk!
@@someusername1exactly 😃😃
I worked in the City of London in 1970s for NatWest.
On Saturdays your footsteps echoed in the total silence of the whole area, it was completely dead.
It was a world of bowler hats and rolled umbrellas strictly 9-5 Monday to Friday.....
No-one lived there
It reminds me of Toronto! It's called the PATH and I've had to pop up to the ground level to get my bearings more than once! I used to work at First Canadian Place which is in the financial district of T.O.. Same thing with empty office space as well. Cheers!
That might be because Mr Reichmann,the original owner and developer was a Canadian jew,who had a lot of influence on the designs in the early phase.
Thanks for uploading this Hannah, I used to work in Canary Wharf in the main building! Was there from 1997-2014, a couple of years before the Jubilee line ran there. Tbh I've hardly been back there since I left, think I ws last there in 2018, such a souless place, I don't miss it there xx
lived in london all my life, had no idea canary wharf had a massive shopping complex
It's depressing living there, especially at the weekend. feels like you're just hanging around for 2 days waiting to go backto the office, which you can see from your apartment ssooo glad I moved😅
Used to work there in the late 2000s when the Jubille Line was not as reliable. It always felt like you were marooned on the island. Great for social time back then, bars and clubs.
It was a lot better connected than it was 20 years earlier, when there were basically 2 bus routes (56 & 277) and no trains (no DLR or Tube), and a wall around the docks.
Then you were really marooned.
Gosh you make me laugh. You are like my internal voice but more humorously distracted. Just happy all the time. Love it!
I agree with you Hannah - Canary Wharf is kind of cold and sterile looking, and it doesn't feel like you're in London - you could be anywhere.
Also, please can you tell us where you got your coat? It's gorgeous! 😊💕
Do you remember what the Docklands looked like in the 1980s? It was a desolate polluted wasteland. Now it looks fantastic.
@@andrewwaller5913 No, I've only been here for 2 years. But it sounds like a massive improvement!
My work is actually moving to Canary Wharf next year! I like that there are plenty of places to eat and drink, because I'm not looking forward to the long journey to work! 🤣 Can only speak for myself, but it's full on office attendance for me now. For anyone planning to visit, I recommend the London Museum and the Crossrail roof garden 👍
I wouldn't be surprised if you had nightmares about not being able to find an exit to that underground mall, and just going round in endless turns and escalators, trapped in there forever 😱
Definitely not a fan of Canary Wharf's architecture, some individual buildings look ok by themselves, but it's all made doubly worse by the fact most of the highrises use that horrible pale green tinted glass for their windows like at 10:57 which is made even worse when it's reflected onto those blinds. I think that shade is absolutely disgusting! 🤮
The mall is not actually "underground". Canary Wharf is actually a structure which is supported by hundreds of massive piles. There is no solid substrate beneath, just mud, sediment, water. The shops are at one level. There are two levels of car parking beneath the shops.
Agree about the color of the buildings. I do not dislike modern architecture per se, but there are other places where it is done much better. I think Canary Wharf does look depressing and dark, and a bit on the "cheap" side of modern architecture
what an incredible area....never knew it existed...being from new york, i am quite used to tall buildings and malls.....thank you
The difference is air conditioning. UK developers have yet to incorporate that into most of their malls.
Worked there in 90s when DLR stopped at 9pm. One pub, a sandwich bar, that was it. Was horrid then. 100% more corporately soulless now. Also went sailing round the docks there in 70s when it was all derelict. Rare birds nesting. It was memorable.
Spot on!
I remember that when working for an investment bank. 9pm was the equivalent of everyone else's 5pm, so working late was the norm. It cost companies huge amounts of money on black cabs then to get their staff home at night. It was one of the richest times for black cabs then.
Worked in The Wharf between 2005 & 2017. Honestly it was never the same really after the financial crisis. Canary Wharf Group also made some really stupid decisions around some of the businesses located there and it's stagnant , dull and full of grossly expensive high rise apartment towers now.
Oh, Hannah! The things you do for your viewers! You entered an architectural brave new world that looks like a reimagining of the silent film Metropolis and is completely cold and, as you discovered, drains the life out of you. But, you gathered some steam and headed downstairs for some absolutely priceless Hannah moments. “I’m flagging. This is making me quite miserable.” “Who designed this? Oh, my God.” “This is terrible.” All the while, I knew in my heart, you always prefer hitting the brick and mortars on the streets of London. And, sure enough, you wrapped it up beautifully at the end with, “Get me back to phone snatching oxford street.” Love it all. Thanks, Hannah. Wonderfully delightful, as usual.
These videos are so relaxing to watch. Keep up the great work. I think I came across your videos a few years ago. 😊
Hannah,you are getting POLITICAL! I Love It! Not on purpose i know but.... 3 of us visited Canary Wharf in November 2022. Not such a great time of year but it was the only free day we all shared. But one of the party had a bad leg and the walking was too much,and we'd only just got there,and it was freezing cold,and blowing a gale,yes it was windy,and then it started to rain and yes google maps does play up there,so we went in that place you show a glimpse of,The London Docklands Museum and spent the afternon there. It was miles better than that opulent and unnaffordable Mall complete with screeching steaming gangs.
It's certainly changed a lot since I was there in 1994. Apparently now there's a 74 story block of flats at the west end of the Isle of Dogs that is all expensive privately owned flats but not one private parking space, it's called the Landmark Pinnacle. That would be heaps of fun for the locals.
That underground shopping centre is a full on nightmare! I was getting stressed out just watching. Who thought that'd be a good design?
Anxiety inducing. You can feel it "sitting" on your shoulders.
@@rokasdobrovolskisYes, I think part of the problem is that the ceilings are quite low. Also knowing that you're underground makes the whole place feel like a glitzy b*mb shelter!
probably copied Hong Kong, although there ir escapes the heat and is air-conditioned.
I was here in the summer - hated it & also got lost - couldn’t wait to leave.
I worked there for many years,it gets very busy down there at lunchtime ,I use to avoid it at those times,, weekends isn’t too bad much less people.
Happy Friday, Hannah! Another great vlog. Interesting to see Canary Wharf through your eyes and hear your thoughts. I can really relate to how you felt about the shopping center experience. Hope you have an amazing weekend. See you next Friday!
I've worked in CW on and off for over 20 years now. It really hasn't changed massively in that time, I would say it's been a gentle evolution with the expanded shopping centre and some new office buildings near the river. The biggest changes have been in the surrounding area which is mostly residential. I lived there for a couple of a years and it's really quite a despressing place, especially at the weekends. It's a decent place to work though, you have everything you need right there and the transport is good. In my younger days I used to enjoy drinks after work there, lots of fun.
PS Massimo Dutti has closed, yes I was sad too.
You mean apart from the added multiple office and residential tower blocks, the underground mall, the jubilee line, the Elizabeth line, reebok sports centre, multiple hotels…. Yeah not much has changed 😂
@@PaulForeman-indievisuals I mean yes, there has been changes, but they have been gradual and the overall vibe is exactly as it was 20 years ago. Doesn’t feel much different to me.
What a great video and such an interesting place. It doesn’t feel like London looking at most of those buildings, and that underground Mall…wow! We love it when you add the history and items such as the maps. Well done and thanks for the tour! ❤
I worked there from April 2006 to July 2007, and absolutely hated it! It probably didn't help that I also hated my job there, but back then it was such an dull, soulless place. At least it's got a bit more character these days I suppose. I did visit a few years ago to do a bit of urban photography, which was quite fun. But I would never consider working there again, and certainly couldn't imagine actually living there...how awful! 😆
Thanks
Thanks so much for the support!
To respond to your question, no the urban “renewal” area is not my current location desire. However, I do remember 50 years ago when in my 20’s and it was quite my style because of being professional, young, and monied. That’s always a glittering ✨ combination. And despite what many people might think as long as our cities have central location proximity and limited space it will be the path for the professional, the young, and the monied. 🎊 ❤
I was there at Phase 1 Heron Quays in 1984 as a specialist contractor. You screened the building at 3:28 . I saw a future ghetto .
You missed out the best attraction (which everyone misses... maybe it's a bit niche) - the Traffic Light Tree! It's technically a sculpture. But first time I saw it I thought it was real. It's amazing. I worked in Canary Wharf shortly after it was built in 1998-2000, Cabot Square. It felt modern, and as a young IT worker in banking I felt important getting my Starbucks on the way to work (Starbucks was a recent US import, we had nothing like that back then... wouldn't be seen dead there now). My brother bought a flat in Limehouse to work in Canary Wharf in the late 90s. I find the area really interesting still. I think a lot of people come here because they think it's "London", mostly silly foreigners - to shop. Why shop? It has changed so much since then, same vibe, just LOADS more eating places. I remember after work everyone used to go to the same bar. Thousands of people working there and literally only about 2 bars. Fun video.
I was there 1997-2011. Back in 1997, Slug and Lettuce and the other bar I can't remember. Everyone went there.
@@timeforcoffee485 yes! Slug and Lettuce. I thought it was that but couldn’t remember for sure. Where we all went. Imagine - just two bars for the whole of Canary Wharf, compared with now…
Haha I remember the traffic light tree we'd always drive passed it.
You said the DLR makes you laugh.. as someone who comes from a small "city" that has 3 buses per day to get you to the city, I find the DLR amazing. The fact it's driverless absolutely blew my mind. Well aware this is not new technology but I'm from Northern Ireland so...
I think I love you ❤
I work there three times a week. If the jubilee line is down or suffers from delays, get ready to suffer .
Limehouse blues
There aren't many places where you can take out a major transport system and still get around.
The DLR will get you to South London or Up to Stratford, the District Line or the Central Line and some decent bus routes.
Is the Jubilee Line often 'down'?
The Elizabeth line and DLR both go there