Eden Dock

A ground-breaking new public space with floating, interconnected pontoons and aquatic islands, sitting at the heart of Canary Wharf’s evolution. The contemporary insertions within the Grade I-listed, 19^th-century dock, creatively engage the public with the waters’ edge, while enriching the ecology and biodiversity of Canary Wharf’s open water spaces.

The transformed dock brings the public realm down to water level for the first time. We have introduced ‘shores’ of gradual inclines—timber bleacher seating integrated with generous amphitheatre steps, walkways and dense garden planting.

On the water, floating boardwalks create a new accessible public route connecting a series of floating gardens, an education pontoon, and terraces for social and cultural use. The floating islands lead to a open water swimming area, within a safe and spectacular public setting. Below water level, a cantilevered shelf supports aquatic planting, along with a marine monitoring station, including underwater cameras to track biodiversity, providing a focal point for educational engagement.

The planting for the scheme features native vegetation, selected to provide valuable habitats on the floating islands, for invertebrates, amphibians, fish and waterfowl. In addition, fish refuges hung beneath the islands create safe spawning ground, while bird boxes hung amongst the trees create new nesting sites for a range of garden bird species.

Eden Dock is the latest part of our wider placemaking masterplan for Canary Wharf, following the recent completion of two new Water Pavilions at Wood Wharf. A pedestrian footbridge across Eden Dock, set to complete next year, will provide a new north-south link joining together and improving footfall across the neighbourhood.

Glenn Howells, Partner at Howells said: “Eden Dock is an exemplar of our placemaking approach, finding inventive ways of unlocking the amazing untapped potential of Canary Wharf’s historic dock infrastructure, while creating a significant uplift in urban greening. Introducing floating ecology islands, and outdoor spaces for culture and education, Eden Dock connects the public with the water, and reclaims this previously inactive space for wellbeing, education, health and leisure. The dock is central to our proposals for a green-blue spine of biodiversity, green routes and new public realm across the Isle of Dogs.”

Shobi Khan, CEO, Canary Wharf Group, said: “Sustainability is part of CWG’s DNA. We’ve delivered over 11 million sq ft of sustainably certified space, purchased 100% of our electricity from renewable sources since 2012, and contributed zero waste to landfill since 2009.

“The unveiling of Eden Dock today is another step in the evolution of Canary Wharf 3.0 and our vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood offering workspaces, retail, homes, leisure and amenities, and access to nature, all in one location.”