One Canada Square
| One Canada Square |
A view of One Canada Square |
|
| Record height |
| Tallest in the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2012 [1][I] |
| Preceded by |
Tower 42 |
| Surpassed by |
Shard London Bridge |
| General information |
| Type |
Commercial[2] |
| Location |
London, England, UK |
| Coordinates |
|
| Construction started |
1988 |
| Completed |
1991[3] |
| Height |
| Antenna spire |
235 m (771 ft) AGL
/
246 m (806 ft) ASL[4] |
| Technical details |
| Floor count |
50[2] |
| Floor area |
1,200,000 sq ft (111,000 m2)[5] |
| Elevator count |
32 + 3 freight + 2 firemen[2] |
| Design and construction |
| Owner |
Canary Wharf Group plc (current majority shareholder is Songbird Estates plc[6]) |
| Architect |
César Pelli & Associates,
Adamson Associates,
Frederick Gibberd Coombes & Partners[7] |
| Developer |
Olympia & York[8] |
One Canada Square (often incorrectly called Canary Wharf, after its location) is a skyscraper in Canary Wharf in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is the tallest completed building in the United Kingdom since 1991, standing at 235 metres (770 ft) above ground level[9] and containing 50 storeys. It will be overtaken by Shard London Bridge as the tallest completed building in the United Kingdom in mid 2012, though it surpassed One Canada Square's height during construction in November 2010.
One Canada Square was designed by three architect firms including Cesar Pelli, who based the design and shape mainly on the World Financial Center and Big Ben. One of the predominant features of the building is the pyramid roof which contains a flashing aircraft warning light. The distinctive pyramid pinnacle is at 240 metres (800 ft) above sea level.[10]
One Canada Square is primarily used for offices, though there are some retail units on the lower ground floor. It is a prestigious location for offices and as of January 2012 was 100% let. The building is recognised as a London landmark and it has gained much attention through film, television and other media during its status as the tallest building in the United Kingdom.
History and design
The original plans for a business district on Canary Wharf came from G Ware Travelstead. He proposed three 260 m (850 ft) towers, but was unable to find the money for his project, so he sold the plans to Olympia & York in 1987.[7] Three architect firms designed One Canada Square whom were Cesar Pelli & Associates, Adamson Associates, and Frederick Gibberd Coombes & Partners.[11] They designed the tower with a similar shape to Three World Financial Center, New York City, which was also developed by Olympia & York and designed by Cesar Pelli too. The shape was also made similar to the Big Ben.[12]
Construction on the tower began in 1988 and was completed in 1991. A year after, the original developers, Olympia & York, went into bankruptcy administration due to a global recession. It was not until 1999 that One Canada Square was completely let for the very first time.
The building
The building is clad in stainless steel with metallic windows. It has a distinctive pyramid roof that is 40 metres high, and 30 metres2 at the base;[13] the roof encloses an aircraft warning beacon that flashes every 1.5 seconds. The pyramid roof can light up in the evenings and can be seen 20 miles (32 km) away.[14]
Public access
One Canada Square is an office building and the floors above the lobby are closed to the public. However, the public can walk through certain parts of the lobby to the lower floors where there are some retail units.[15] There is no public observation floor.
External relations
Height ranking
| Title |
Rank |
| Tallest building in the world |
204 |
| Tallest building in Europe |
15 |
| Tallest building in the European Union |
7 |
| Tallest building in the UK |
2 |
| Tallest completed building in the UK |
1 |
| Tallest building in Canary Wharf |
1 |
Titles
Titles such as the 'tallest building in the UK' can be determined by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) criteria of: when a building is complete, clad and at least partially open for business.[16] In accordance to the CTBUH method, One Canada Square achieved the title of tallest skyscraper in the UK in August 1991. It is a record it has held since. However, other skyscrapers may take this title in the next few years, for example Bishopsgate Tower and The Shard. As for the tallest building at Canary Wharf, One Canada Square is currently the tallest building there, but it may be overtaken as the tallest building by Riverside Tower 1.
Terrorism
One Canada Square has had a few terrorism attempts on it. On 15 November 1992, the Provisional Irish Republican Army attempted to place a large improvised explosive device[17] near the tower. In recent years, there have been many news articles stating that the towers at Canary Wharf have been a target for terrorism[18][19][20] with one plot confirmed on 4 April 2008, when a terror cell appeared at Woolwich Crown Court accused of targeting Canary Wharf, they were found guilty for planning attacks on the Canary Wharf skyscrapers.[21]
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ Using criteria provided by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)
- ^ a b c Canary Wharf Group plc, http://www.canarywharf.com/estate/estate/ds7/info.htm The Estate > Buildings > One Canada Square > More information > One Canada Square Facts, official Canary Wharf website, Canary Wharf Group plc. Accessed 25 May 2008 14:45 BST.
- ^ Canary Wharf Contractors Limited, http://www.cwcontractors.com/projectsOneCanada.asp Some of our projects > One Canada Square > One Canada Square, Canary Wharf Contractors website, Canary Wharf Contractors Limited. Accessed 25 May 2008 15:30 BST.
- ^ Civil Aviation Authority
- ^ Canary Wharf Group plc, http://www.canarywharf.com/estate/estate/ds7/ds7_r.htm The Estate > Buildings > One Canada Square > Building profile > Building profile, official Canary Wharf website, Canary Wharf Group plc. Accessed 25 May 2008 14:52 BST.
- ^ Songbird Estates plc http://www.songbirdestates.com/Corporate-Profile/index.asp Company Overview / AIM Rule 26 > 'Company Overview and Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") Rule 26', Songbird Estates website, Songbird Estates plc, 25 May 2008. Accessed 25 May 2008 20:08 BST.
- ^ a b Hermione Hobhouse http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=46550 "Modern Docklands: Gazetteer of modern non-housing developments", "Survey of London: volumes 43 and 44: Poplar, Blackwall and Isle of Dogs", 1994. Accessed 28 April 2008
- ^ Canary Wharf Group plc, http://www.canarywharf.com/mainFrm1.asp?strSelectedArea=History History, official Canary Wharf website, Canary Wharf Group plc. Accessed 25 May 2008 14:38 BST.
- ^ Aviation charts issued by the Civil Aviation Authority
- ^ http://www.canarywharf.com/factfile/1can_pagr2.asp Accessed 25 May 2008 14:55 BST.
- ^ Unknown author, http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=32&storycode=3048265 "Faster, higher, stronger", Building website, Canary Wharf supplement 2005, 2005. Accessed 25 May 2008 14:26 BST.
- ^ Canary Wharf Group plc, http://www.visiteastlondon.com/downloads/Leaflets/history.pdf "Arts & Events", "Canary Wharf", "A different perspective", "Self-guided walking tours at Canary Wharf", "Transitions", 'Canary Wharf Group plc', May 2003. Accessed April 27, 2008
- ^ Colt Group http://www.coltinfo.co.uk/products-and-systems/architectural-solutions/louvre-systems/projects/canary-wharf/ Products and Systems > Architectural Solutions > Louvre Systems > Projects > Canary Wharf > "Canary Wharf, London" / "Bespoke Screening Louvre - Stainless Steel Louvre Pyramid", Colt Group website, Colt International Licensing Ltd. Accessed 25 May 2008 16:08 BST.
- ^ Art2Architecture & DPA Lighting, http://www.art2architecture.co.uk/alighted/canary2.htm "alighted city" > "Millennium Lighting Installation, Canary Wharf, London" > "Millennium Lighting Installation, Canary Wharf, London", Art2Architecture website, Art2Architecture London Ltd. Accessed 25 May 2008 20:36 BST.
- ^ Canary Wharf Group plc, http://www.canarywharf.com/estate/districts/html/cas/index.htm The Estate > Districts > Canada Square > Canada Square District, official Canary Wharf website, Canary Wharf Group plc. Accessed 25 May 2008 15:17 BST.
- ^ "Skyscrapernews.com", http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=1018 "Burj Dubai Height Overtakes Taipei 101", "Skyscrapernews.com" website, "Skyscrapernews.com", 20 July 2007. Accessed 25 May 2008 17:16 BST.
- ^ United Kingdom Parliament http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960304/text/60304w13.htm Publications and Records > Commons Publications > Commons Hansard > Bound Volume Hansard - Written Answers, "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 4 Mar 1996 (pt 13)", Column 62, see table entry for 15 November 1992, United Kingdom Parliament website, United Kingdom Parliament, 4 March 1996. Accessed 25 May 2008 20:26 BST.
- ^ Unknown author, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=328011&in_page_id=1770&ct=5 "Al Qaeda attack on Canary Wharf foiled", Mail Online, Associated Newspapers Ltd, 23 November 2004. Accessed 24 May 2008.
- ^ Severin Carrell, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20060625/ai_n16504673 "Canary Wharf: more smoke and mirrors?", The Independent on Sunday, 25 June 2006. Accessed 25 May 2008 20:45 BST.
- ^ James Sturcke and agencies, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/sep/07/alqaida.september11 "US says 9/11 suspect planned Heathrow attack", The Guardian, 7 September 2006. Accessed 24 May 2008.
- ^ David Williams and Rebecca Camber, "Islamic extremist guilty of liquid bomb plot to blow up transatlantic jets" http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1210876/Islamic-extremist-guilty-liquid-bomb-plot-blow-transatlantic-jets.html Daily Mail, MailOnline, 8 September 2009. Accessed 7 July 2010.
External links
|
|
|
| Buildings |
|
Current
|
One Canada Square (235 m, 1991) · 8 Canada Square (200 m, 2002) · Citigroup Centre (200 m, 2001) · One Churchill Place (156 m, 2004) · 25 Bank Street (153 m, 2003) · 40 Bank Street (153 m, 2003) · 10 Upper Bank Street (151 m, 2003) · 1 Cabot Square (89 m, 1991) · 5 Canada Square (88 m, 2003) · 25 Cabot Square (81 m, 1991) · 25 North Colonnade (80 m, 1991) · 10 Cabot Square (74 m, 1991) · 20 Canada Square (71 m, 2003) · 20 Bank Street (68 m, 2003) · 20 Cabot Square (65 m, 1991) · 50 Bank Street (63 m, 2002) · 30 South Colonnade (62 m, 1991) · 17 Columbus Courtyard (45 m, 1999) · 20 Columbus Courtyard (45 m, 1999) · 1 Westferry Circus (45 m, 1992) · 11 Westferry Circus (45 m, 1997) · 15 Westferry Circus (44.5 m, 2001) · 7 Westferry Circus (43.6 m, 1992)
|
|
|
Under construction
|
|
|
|
Approved
|
|
|
|
|
| Transport links |
|
Current
|
|
|
|
Under construction
|
|
|
|
| Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buildings and
structures |
|
Bridges
|
|
|
|
Entertainment
venues
|
|
Cinemas
|
|
|
|
Sports venues
|
|
|
|
Theatres
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
|
|
Museums and
galleries
|
|
|
|
Places of worship
|
|
|
|
Retailing
|
|
Shops
|
|
|
|
Shopping centres and markets
|
|
|
|
|
Royal buildings
|
|
|
|
Skyscrapers
|
|
|
|
Structures
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
| Parks |
|
|
Squares and
public spaces |
|
|
| Streets |
|
|
|
Buildings and structures under construction shown in italics
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
East One · Cheapside Tower 1 · Cheapside Tower 2 · Cheapside Tower 3
|
|
|
|
Millgarth Tower
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Visions
|
|
|
|
Mile High Eco Tower · Citygate Ecotower · Mallory Clifford Project · Green Bird · Wembley Park Tower · Aldegate Tower · Glass Tower · Vortex Tower · Credit Suisse First Boston Building · Glengall View Place · Cricklewood Tower · 80 & 88-104 Bishopsgate Redevelopment · Folgate Street (Project Cosmos) · Skyhouse · Royal Courts of Justice · Corporation of London Tower |
|
|
|