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The urbanisation of the Isle of Dogs took place in the 19th century after the construction of the docks. The island was connected to the rest of London by the London & Blackwall Railway, and in 1902 the ferry to Greenwich was replaced by a foot tunnel, and Island Gardens park was opened.
There are many different styles of property on the Isle of Dogs, somewhat at odds with Canary Wharf where residential apartment blocks are dominant. In recent years the area has witnessed its own insurgence of residential apartment blocks, including Baltimore Wharf and Baltimore Tower, whilst Bellway’s Turnberry Quay is mid-build and Telford’s Liberty Building is currently at groundworks stage.
Aside from recent developments, the Isle of Dogs is also home to some older mainly apartment-led developments such as Millennium Wharf (Millennium Drive), St David’s Square and Pier Head Lock, to name but a few.
However, it’s the diversity of property styles on the Isle of Dogs which makes it interesting. There are a few remaining Victorian terraces, such as those on East Ferry Road, which is also home to a number of former Dockers’ cottages, and more of these cottages can also be found dotted around the Island. The Isle of Dogs was once awash with warehouses, but sadly there are very few warehouse conversions, Cubitt Wharf & and Burrells Wharf are notable exceptions.
Finally, a word for the river Thames. As the river encompasses the Isle of Dogs, the area is home to a large number of apartments and houses with river views. The Thames is tidal and as such rises and falls by 5-7 metres each tide, a spectacle in its own right, but what it means for residents’ with a river-view property is a constantly changing land, or indeed, waterscape.
Looking to sell your property in E14? Speak to one of the Team. We offer free Isle of Dogs Property Valuations for homeowners looking to sell their property.
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Well, we love E14 at Proper Local but there is a very special place in our hearts for the Isle of Dogs. We love its diversity.
In the middle of the Island, Crossharbour is now becoming a kind of Canary Wharf-lite with the imposing and striking Baltimore Tower visible for miles around. Contrast that with Mudchute Park & Farm, just to the south of Crossharbour. Set in 32 acres of countryside, Mudchute is a community charity, with a working farm, stables, a children’s nursery and a wide range of education activities. Just past the farm is Millwall Park - football, a cricket pitch and a rugby club…. on the Isle of Dogs!
At the Island’s southerly tip is Island Gardens and the northern entrance to the Greenwich foot tunnel. Take a stroll through the tunnel and take in the Cutty Sark (ship or pub!), the market, The National Maritime Museum or the Observatory. Or, just next door to Island Gardens is the Poplar, Blackwall & District Rowing Club.
On the west of the Island you’ll find the Sir John McDougall Gardens, a tranquil place to walk the dog and take in the Thames. Or how about Tiller Leisure Centre with its swimming pool.
And to the east of the Island, Cubitt Town Library and a beach (we kid you not).
So, the Isle of Dogs, its got it all… and did we mention that the Thames is all around you!
Moving to Isle of Dogs
If you're considering taking the next step and moving to the Isle of Dogs, contact Proper Local. We are local property experts and can help you find the right property for your needs.
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- Generally speaking the area to the south of South Dock is what we all refer to as the Isle of Dogs but, in fact, there is no such part of London and the area is actually the areas of Cubitt Town and Millwall. The area was last formally referred to as the as the Isle of Dogs between 1986 and 1992.
- The Isle of Dogs was first mentioned in Henry III’s papers and it is thought that Edward III kept greyhounds here, hence the name.
- However, prior to 1800 it is just as likely that the Isle of Dogs would have been referred to as Stepney Marsh
- The Isle of Dogs is sometimes simply referred to as The Island. However, we can confirm that the Isle of Dogs is not the location for Channel 4’s The Island with Bear Grylls. (That was Isla Gibraleón in the Pacific Ocean)
- The name ‘Mudchute’, (Mudchute Park & Farm and a DLR station), derives from the period when Millwall Dock was being constructed in the 1860s. Spoil from the excavation of the Dock, and silt from its channels and waterways were dumped there using a conveyor system – The Mudchute
- Millwall Football Club are not based on the Isle of Dogs but they were until 1910, at Millwall Park, hence the name. Millwall FC now play at The Den in Bermondsey.
- In 1710 there were 4 pubs on the Isle of Dogs. When the Docks were at their busiest (and we assume the workers at their thirstiest) in the late 19th century there were 37 pubs. Today there are 11.
- Island Gardens park opened in 1895, but it is thought that Canaletto’s painting Greenwich Hospital from the North Bank of the Thames (1750) was painted from this location.
- Island Gardens is also home to the northern entrance to the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. Construction of the tunnel finished in 1902, and it was built to replace the ferry service linking the Docks with Greenwich.
- Regular cleaning has made the docks water more attractive to various species of freshwater and saltwater fish including flounder, plaice, bream and rudd. The docks are regularly used by aquatic birds and a seal has even been spotted in the North Dock on several occasions (and I’ve actually seen him in the Thames too).
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Within the Canary Wharf Estate there aren’t currently any educational establishments, although at first glance you would assume that Canary Wharf College is. However, this college is certainly nearby at East Ferry Road and caters for pre-school, through primary and secondary to 18 years old for ‘A’ Levels.
Other schools near Canary Wharf include St Luke’s, Arnhem Wharf, Seven Mills, Harbinger, Cubitt Town, Cryril Jackson and Mayflower for primary level education.
Whilst secondary schools in the Canary Wharf area include George Green’s School on the Isle of Dogs. Slightly further away, towards the City, are Wapping High School, Sir John Cass, Morpeth and Bishop Challenor.
A full list of schools can be found on the Tower Hamlets website.
There are a number of pre-school nurseries and crèches in E14, including Little Unicorn at both Westferry Circus and Canada Place in Canary Wharf itself, Montessori at Crossharbour and Mudchute Nursery on the Isle of Dogs.
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Hello
So, Proper Local is now up and running and we'd be delighted to let your property in E14.
As we come into September - traditionally the busiest month of the year for lettings - its fair to say that tenants do have a fair amount of property to choose from in Canary Wharf, and the surrounding areas.
With the recent completions in London City Island, Talisman Tower, Duckman Tower, Charrington Tower and most recently Horizons Tower, it is fair to say that this additional stock has had an impact on achievable rental prices in E14. But perhaps more importantly, because tenants have more to choose from, its the increased amount of time it can take to rent a property which is more important. And for me its always been the case that WHEN is more important than HOW MUCH (within reason of course!)
I would suggest that rental prices have eased by around 5% in the area over the last 12 months, but void periods between tenancies are longer than we have traditionally experienced.
This isn't to say that the rental market in E14 is weak, far from it, but the area is 'victim' to a large number of developments completing within a very short timeframe.
What will always remain true is this: accurately priced, well presented and marketed properties will always rent. And Proper Local can do this for you.
For all Landlords who instruct us before Friday 16th September we are offering 50% off our already competitive fees.
Do get in touch to find out more (and watch out for our advertisements in The Wharf and Canary Wharf magazine this week.)
Best
Christian
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Quite simply, tenants in Canary Wharf have never had it so good.
Not only has the amount of available rental stock in Canary Wharf increased, the quality has too.
Although not within the Canary Wharf Estate, the following developments have all completed within the last 12 months and are only a short walk into Canary Wharf itself and Canary Wharf station: Charrington Tower (previously known as Providence Tower), Horizons Tower, Talisman Tower and Duckman Tower. In these key Canary Wharf developments swimming pools and gyms are now the norm, and set a new benchmark for upcoming developments over the next few years.
However, don’t dismiss the older developments. Pan Peninsula (somewhat the ‘daddy’ in the area), Discovery Dock East & Discovery Dock West, Ability Place, Baltimore Wharf, Denison House, Trinity Tower, Cobalt Place and Canary Central are all modern developments in the Canary Wharf area with excellent internal specification and facilities.
Rental Prices in Canary Wharf
Unlike the sales market, the rental market doesn’t benefit from a centralised pricing database like the Land Registry.
However, we do have experience! So here’s some guide prices for property to rent in Canary Wharf.
Studio – from £300 per week
One bedroom – from £350 per week
Two bedrooms – from £450 per week
Three bedrooms - from £550 per week
But, as with anything in life, there’s always exceptions!
Rental Valuations for Canary wharf Landlords
If you have a property in Canary Wharf and would like to know how much your property could rent for, call or email Proper Local. We offer free rental valuations in Canary Wharf.
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Buying property in Canary Wharf is actually a very recent phenomenon because up until summer 2015 there wasn’t actually much to buy on the Canary Wharf Estate itself. However, the release of Canary Wharf Group’s 10 Park Drive put paid to that and the further development of Wood Wharf will turn the taps on somewhat.
As property here consists mainly of apartments, choice is somewhat restricted to that, but there are a few modern townhouses and a few surviving Victorian properties including warehouses, particularly if you look to the surrounding areas of the Isle of Dogs, Limehouse and Poplar.
In the Blackwall/East India area, to the east of Canary Wharf, key apartment blocks include New Providence Wharf, Ontario Tower, Charrington Tower and Horizons Tower. And if you travel a little further east again you’ll find London City Island, Ballymore’s recently completed mini Manhattan concept.
Around South Quay, just to the south of Canary Wharf, you’ll find a number of residential buildings including the iconic Pan Peninsula (somewhat the ‘daddy’ in the area), Discovery Dock East & Discovery Dock West, Ability Place, Baltimore Wharf, Denison House, Trinity Tower, Cobalt Place and Canary Central. Galliard’s recently completed Lincoln Plaza development, comprising Duckman Tower and Talisman Tower, sits next to Indescon Square from the same developer.
Prices in Canary Wharf
Rightmove (from Land Registry data) suggest the average price in Canary Wharf is £494,065 and was similar in terms of sold prices to nearby Isle Of Dogs (£487,935), Millwall (£478,337) and Cubitt Town (£488,842). And that overall sold prices in Canary Wharf over the last year were 4% up on the previous year and 18% up on the 2013 level of £420,343 (as at 25th July 2016).
Meanwhile Zoopla suggest an average Canary Wharf property price of £568,470 (as at 23rd August 2016).
However, with the sale of many new homes in 2015 for completion in 2019 or later we would expect the average price for Canary Wharf property to move clear of average property prices in neighbouring areas.
What we do know is this. There is far more residential property in the Canary Wharf area than there was at the beginning of 2016 and this leads to more choice for buyers. An easy mistake to make would be to suggest that all apartment blocks are the same. They are absolutely not.
For some location is king, but for others a slightly longer walk to work might be a fair trade off for more space, a river view or indeed a lower service charge.
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A journey to the Canary Wharf of old used to be best served by car, but its very different now. How else do over 100,000 workers manage to get here every day for work?
Tube: The Jubilee Line serves central Canary Wharf, with passengers disembarking into the magnificent Foster + Partners building.
DLR: However, Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs is very well served by the DLR, with stations at Canary Wharf, Heron Quays, South Quay, Crossharbour, Mudchute, Island Gardens, West India Quay and Poplar.
River: The RB1 river bus service links Canary Wharf Pier with Greenwich, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Blackfriars and Embankment (for Waterloo), to name but a few.
Bus: Coming in from East London, the D3, D7 and D8 will all bring you directly to Canary Wharf, and the 277 heads to Highbury and Islington. There is also a night bus, the N550, from Trafalgar Square.
Airport: Escaping from the city couldn’t be easier with London City Airport just a few stops away on the DLR or a few minutes by cab.
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Canary Wharf has already changed beyond all recognition from when One Canada Square was completed in 1991. (Incidentally One Canada Square is what some mistakenly refer to as Canary Wharf, or Canary Wharf Tower.) But what was once a singular (very) tall tower, it is now flanked by many other skyscrapers.
But if you think Canary Wharf looks impressive now, by 2020 its going to look very different, and by 2025 its going to look different again.
The largest single development is that by the Canary Wharf Group itself. The site formerly known as Wood Wharf has been razed to the ground and will provide a new residential-led, mixed use, waterside community.
The masterplan, designed by Allies and Morrison Architects, will provide over 3,200 new homes, nearly 2 million sq ft of high quality commercial office space, and a further 335,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants and community uses. Estimated completion for the entire project is 2023, however the first of the residential towers, 10 Park Drive, will complete in 2019/2020.
However, prior to 2023, and all located to the south of the Canary Wharf Estate, we will witness the completion of Berkeley’s South Quay Plaza (2020), Galliard’s Maine Tower at Harbour Central (2019/2020), Ballymore’s The Wardian (2019) and LBS’ The Madison (2019).
But that’s not all.
Landmark Pinnacle at 75 floors will become London’s tallest residential building (by number of floors, rather than height), and Hertsmere House near West India Quay will ACTUALLY become Europe’s tallest residential tower at 240 metres. But by then, the Canary Wharf Group will have also completed its 560 unit Newfoundland scheme, on the far west of the estate just past Heron Quays DLR.
Oh, and did we mention the completion of Mount Anvil’s Dollar Bay & Galliard’s Baltimore Tower complete in 2017 too…
And lastly, just a few words for Crossrail. Although Crossrail Place was completed in 2015 the station itself will not open until December 2018. Once open the Elizabeth line (as its now to be called, Ma’am) will take you from Canary Wharf to Liverpool Street in 6 minutes, to Paddington in 17 and Heathrow in 39. Incidentally, did you know that the station itself is 18 metres below water level? Crossrail sits beneath North Dock and the dock was drained in order for building of the station to commence.
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Knowing Canary Wharf as we do, the cry of “there’s nothing to do in Canary Wharf” surely used to be true. But just as surely, it’s not true now. Canary Wharf has become a destination in its own right, its no longer just the place where people come to work.
Eating
Boisdale is something of a Canary Wharf stalwart, has outstanding reviews for its modern British cooking, offers a choice of more than 3,000 whiskies, a cigar menu, and not to forget live music, but do book early.
Plateau, on the fourth floor of Canada Place, offers modern French cuisine from fixed price and a la carte menus; all in a stylish setting with views over the towers of The Wharf.
If chicken is your thing then Le Secret Des Rotisseurs at Canary Riverside overlooks the Thames and offers (we know from experience) possibly the best chicken you’ll ever eat.
Tom’s Kitchen serves British favourites and comfort food classics.
Or, if you have a yen for modern Japanese cuisine, head to Roka, where you can watch the robata chefs at work.
However, take a stroll to the south and you’ll uncover some hidden gems on the Isle of Dogs. Manjal specialises in northern and southern Indian cuisine including dosas to die for, whilst the Lotus Floating Restaurant offers great dim sum (and a special menu of authentic Chinese dishes if you ask for it) … but beware of the queues at weekends.
Keep walking south towards Island Gardens and you’ll find The Old Fire Station a bar and bistro which specialises in Turkish cuisine. Reasonably priced and the meze and kebabs are super.
And a final word for Firezza, who surely offer the best take away or delivered pizzas in London.
Drinking
The Gun on Coldharbour is a favourite with locals, and its full restaurant menu offers upmarket gastropub fare, with oysters as their speciality.
Under new management, and right next to Crossharbour DLR, is The George. A proper pub for proper people, but it also happens to offer great food, a beer garden and conservatory.
In Canary Wharf itself there are watering holes aplenty. Find a dock, look left or right!
Culture
Docklands’ Museum of London offers a fantastic insight into the history of Canary Wharf and Docklands and is located at West India Quay.
Also at West India Quay is the Cineworld multiplex cinema with 10 screens. However, some film lovers might prefer the Everyman Cinema at Crossrail Place, a more boutique affair.
The Space on Westferry Road offers a programme of theatre and dance, together with creative writing workshops, and the Hubbub cafe and bar is next door for pre or post event food and drink.
Local amenities
For grocery shopping there is the UK’s largest Waitrose at Canada Place, but for those with more modest tastes there’s a large Asda superstore in the middle of the Island, very close to Crossharbour DLR.
Billingsgate Fish Market is just to the north east of Canary Wharf and could just as easily be classed as culture as an amenity. Billingsgate is the UK’s largest inland fish market. Open to the public as well as to trade customers, but do get there early as it’s all over by 9.30am.
Chrisp Street market in Poplar, was the first purpose built pedestrian shopping centre and still offers more than 80 stalls from Monday to Saturday, including that Eastend staple pie and mash.
For the more adventurous pop along to the Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre in Milwall Outer Dock, where you can try your hand at canoeing, sailing and windsurfing.
Or if you’d like to brave the Thames in your boat, pop along to the Poplar, Blackwall & District Rowing Club, believed to be the third oldest rowing club in Great Britain.
