One Canada Square
London, United Kingdom

HEIGHT: 235m/771 feet
FLOORS: 50 floors
COMPLETION: 1991
ARCHITECT: Cesar Pelli

While ordinary in appearance, at 50 stories, this was the tallest office building in Europe at the time this photo was taken. The building's signature is a 130-foot stainless steel pyramid cap weighing 11 tons. Canada Square managed to rise in spite of overwhelming odds. The Canadian company that commissioned it went bankrupt, bomb threats closed the observation deck, and a real IRA bomb attack shattered the lower floors. It exists as a symbol of the area's rebirth. In 1981 the region consisted of block after block of abandoned industrial sites. The government set up the London Dockland Development Corporation to revitalize the area. It offered incentives for new construction and reuse of urban land. The Docklands got its own automated rail system (Docklands Light Railway), and businesses began moving back in. Some of them high-profile newspapers like the Daily Telegraph. One Canada Square is now the jewel in the Corporation's crown. It was sold in 1995 to new owners (A Canadian-Saudi joint venture) who have kept the building alive, and continued breathing life into the local economy. Once just an industrial wasteland, the Canary Wharf and Isle of Dogs Docklands are becoming fashionable once again.

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/rotpics01/onecanadasq01.jpeg

http://www.cesar-pelli.com/html/assetts/folio/canarywharf1.jpg

http://www-ccs.cs.umass.edu/~cris/pix/cd01/canary-wharf-002.3.jpeg

http://www.quuxuum.org/travel/london/london12.jpg

http://www.dzongkha.net/rdg/photos/cw_sre/P1010041.JPG

http://home.wanadoo.nl/pmj/photos/london/f236-13.jpg

http://www.theatredesign.org.uk/despix/sico2.jpg

http://www.cesar-pelli.com/html/assetts/folio/canarywharf3.jpg

http://glasssteelandstone.com/UK/England/LondonOneCanadaSquare.html


Not my favourite by any stretch of the imagination....

6.5

8/10

I like it! I think its very smart looking yet does not look out of place on the London skyline due to its roof. Distinctive. As far as skyscrapers go, it is the best in London. (until Swiss Re)

A pity too many clones of it are appearing around the world.

Pretty good for london architecture...eventhough they have some of the best.. 7.5/10

I like the building, and I especially like what it did for London's and Europe's acceptance of the skyscraper as a means to facilitate growth. It gets points just for its importance in this regard IMO, just like a breakthrough design would.


7.0/10 Keep in mind, I grade with the intention of using the scale. In my method, only one building can be a "10.0"...

Not bad not great to me. I think 7/10

8/10! :)

I like it a lot 8/10! Not to mention the name :okay:

It is pretty good...7/10.:)

Not pressurizing anyone here.
But would LOVE to hear the opinions of those that rated this below 3. An opinion from someone who rated it 10 is just as interesting from someone who rated it 0.

Same for other threads.

Originally posted by RafflesCity
Not pressurizing anyone here.
But would LOVE to hear the opinions of those that rated this below 3. An opinion from someone who rated it 10 is just as interesting from someone who rated it 0.

Same for other threads.


(ahh... This forum software does all sorts of very cool things!)

Ask them yourself. Brice and Central cast those votes... I would like to know thier reasoning too. If they were goofing around, that's OK. But if they were serious, I am interested to hear why... Probably something to do with the "corporate image" this highrise possesses.

Poor use of materials dulls the overall impression of the building. Projects a decent sense of height.

7.5/10

G

looks big and powerful,and is close in height to the WFC in NY...
7.8/10

I'll give it a 7.5.
I could have seen the buidling in real life,but the school trip passed by me..

For me this building is Canary Wharf, the whole of CW is built around this one building. It's not my favourite looking building, but in the sense of it..it's damn good.

8/10 :)

8/10

:)

this building is my fav in SimCity 3000 it always makes my CBDs look nicer . . . 9/10

It may not be that imaginative, but I like it, and it's a symbol of London now.

8/10

7.5/10. Not ugly, but nothing special.

A friendly bump.

One of the buildings I would associate with Canary Wharf. The top of the tower is superb with the trianglar roof but the rest of the building appears to be a bit dull.

7.5/10

Don't like it, the roof isn't bad, but the walls and setbacks are are plain.

6/10

Jasonhouse, how do you see who cast which votes? Is that just for admins?

One Canada Square is a very boring skyscraper. It's not ugly by any means, but it does not excite me at all. 6.0/10

Yep, just Admins. Pretty naughty huh? No one is safe from the prying eyes fo a nosy Admin! Muahahahaa!

Big Brother is watching.............:sly:

very simplistic - I dont mind it ;)

8

Originally posted by gojeda
Poor use of materials dulls the overall impression of the building.
That surprises me. The cladding (it's stainless steel) is one of the few things about this building that I actually really like.

The detailing on the other hand...

Well, since I spend much time in London these days, 1 Canada on the skyline always makes me feel at home. I like how it's a brother to my own city's 3 WFC. The buildings are almost twins, 237m vs. 225m and the work of clone-master Pelli.

1 Canada is the better of the two though. Superior massing, materials and base pull it off. Even though it's a Pelli clone it somehow suits London quite well with it's understated power and wink towards shiny, hi-tech. :cool:

8.5/10

Here's 3WFC, at right. It's only 12m shorter than 1 Canada, but quite a bit more "squat". It was designed to balance with the Trade Towers and in their absence looks akward.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/thumbnails/photo/2001-10/762574.jpg

I find this one incredible boring. The city should have never approved this design. 4.5

nothing special...6

7/10

OK to me, little too plain

londoners quite like this building. it still looks a bit squat - should have been the initial 1000feet that it was proposed at. then it would have had better proportions...(and would have given it a 9)

8/10 - no revolutionary design tho - i prefer lloyds, swiss re, hsbc and the new buildings going up in london...

Ill give it a 6 for looks, its nothing special, however, id give it 10 out of 10 for its 'kick up the fucking arse London needed' rating. Londoners like this building becuase it was the first sign of things beggining to change here.
We have to put up with so many backwards thinking, militantly tradditionalist idiots over here, who constantly want to live in the past, holding our skyline back. Thank god the generation gap is getting so wide now, that these people are begginging to lose alot of their power. Canay Wharf will always be remembered as the one which started the skyscraper explosion in London proper, and thats why we love it.

An example of this; this picture shows the Canary Wharf area in 2007. All this would never have been possible without the construction of 1 Canada Square!!

rendering by gothicform:
http://www.photoways.com/partenaires/photoways/photos/0/091278/zoom/31091278.jpg

What aload of shit.
Scat



Scat

You post pictures of shits, you talk shit, you must in fact be shit?

Anything contructive to say or post, other than shit?

who gave this less than 3?

I wonder if it was the same people who also gave that score to Swiss RE?

I'm looking forward to seeing Rogers Riverside South Towers completed. HSBC and 1CS are also quite interesting.

The rest is of average quality fairly comparable to La Defense cluster in Paris.

This poll shows how important the very design of the building is but also how history and the urban landscape can influence our perceptions.

Personally I like 1CS but I'more a Lloyds or T42 fan, part of my judgement on 1CS is based on its impact on the skyline.

------------

Weird...only London buildings get marks under 3...From which rival city can those people be ? I have an idea...

Hmmm One Canada Square is a little bit bland... but who the hell voted a 3 and below?!! One Canada Square isn't the Bank of China but I think that it doesn't deserve a 3 and below! 6.5/10 for you!

I dont think the materials add to the building which takes away from the nice style. 7.5/10

OCS is more important for its symbolism, ok its not the world greatest tower, but it is high quality

its too simple. but its tall so its a 7

I think its fantastic! Nice shiny metal surface, though at night time it doesnt look as nice as the Citigroup tower next to it! The pyramid on top is the icing on the cake!

7/10 :)

I like it, but it would look better if it was taller. 7

Agreed. it was going to be taller but some people just won't have it.

6/10 and that's it !

My favourite building in Europe. I always thought this building looks sort of like Bankers Hall here in Calgary - the materials and window size/shape are similar, as is the pyramidal cap at the top.

9/10

6/10 - It's too chunky, the facade is dull, and doesn't dance with the light at all - just endless windows with nothing to make it more interesting except for the indentations running up the corners. And the pyramid on top only looks impressive when it's lit at night.

6/10

The white parts are boring.

Hmm, doesn't do anything for me...
the height is pretty fair... but the building looks bland and kinda old. :( 5.5

With apologies to some ardent enthusiasts here, to me One Canada Square appears a bit ... well, square. 7.0

9/10. chique design.

I like this tower. This one would fit in any city.

Build one in rotterdam!

6 Not one of Pelli's best... it's suprisingly simple and bland

8.5/10

Yeah, as others have said there isn't anything too spectacular about this building. Only the pyramid roof gives it any interest. 6/10.

I only like the top when its lit up nicely.. Other than that, this building is just plain.. The facade is somewhat boring.. :)

8/10

funny enough this tower had a twin in Johnny english

nice tower 8/10

Pictures I took.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103ocsbase.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103ocs1.jpg http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103ocs2.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103lobby.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103doors.jpg

I give it a 7/10..for its really quite simple for the untrained eye...like mine. :)

http://www.tomandphil.myby.co.uk/tomsk/canarywharf.jpg

It has the dullness of a sub-average seventies building....

Simple clean design. Well executed but not exciting. 8/10

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by The Messiah </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>http://www.tomandphil.myby.co.uk/tomsk/canarywharf.jpg </td></tr>
</table>
7/10 + 2 for cats = 9/10

:D

Nice - 10!:)

the best in the UK

i want to give this building a 10/10. looks good.

7.5/10. The triangular top is quite nice.

7.5

not bad, maybe a bit fat

the pyramide on its top is too flat. 6/10

facade: ok
form: nothing special, but i like the whole top
points: 8.5

Simple and clean design. It fits London skyline well IMO.
8,5.

7.5/10 Not too impressive.

It has almost reached the landmark status for london.
8.5/10

8.5/10


it looks nice

9.

8.

the facade is ok, but the building's overall shape and bulk makes it look not as interesting. they should put some more setbacks into it, as well as making it thinner, then it can compete with the wfc nyc.

7.5

Pelli recycling the design for World Finacial Center in NYC and moving it to London
Unoriginal, and boring, and sub-par for Pelli

London has so many amazing non-tall buildings, it does not need a 300+ to compelte the city, it allready rocks...Llyod's of London, one of my favourite int he world ;-)

This one, 4/10

I like the pyramid roof. When I think of London's skyscrapers, I think of One Canada Square...

Simple, but striking design. I like the silvery colour. 8/10

It is pretty average but still nobody will say why they consider it less than 3!

8.5 from me :)

I love it and looks excellent in London. I'm sure that I wouldn't love it
if it's colour scheme was any different then what it is. 10/10

8.5/10
One of London's most impressive buildings, and a great pinnacle for the Docklands. Even when all the new towers come along, 1 Canada Square will still dominate in the centre of the cluster.

One of my friends is gonna be abseiling down this beauty soon. I'm soo jealous. Also think of the pictures you could take!

Whenver I think of London high-rises, this building comes to my mind first. I like British people, the city, the country and this skyscraper. Let's give it 8/10, though I'm fairly sure that if I saw it in real-life I'd increase the points by at least one.

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/1cs/1cs1.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/1cs/1cs2.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/1cs/1cs6.jpg



http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103ocsbase.jpg



http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Pictures/cw2.jpg

http://popsoft.info/desktops/can_wha_01_1600.jpg

http://popsoft.info/desktops/can_wha_02_1600.jpg

Just a tower, but a very nice tower. I like the small details 7.5

8/10

8.0

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/buildings/48_pic5.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/buildings/48_pic7.jpg

^ last 2 pics by Gothicform

10/10 its simply awesome

http://www.orarium.com/images/canary/14.jpg

why name is canada? 8/10

Canada's O&Y Properties built the project, went bankrupt because of it, and has subsequently repurchased the development.

http://www.thefilebin.com/userfiles/dublin2004/dec26/DSCN4619.jpg

http://www.thefilebin.com/userfiles/dublin2004/dec26/DSCN4593.jpg

I think its a boring building until the second to the last picture in which it looks like the building is on fire and lights are coming out...Ill give it an extra .5 for the smoke and give it an 8 (7.5 w/o smoke)

why was it called One Canada Square?

very nice! :)

The Canary Wharf development was spearheaded by Canada's O&Y Properties. They went bankrupt in the early 1990s when the property market soured and gave up ownership. I believe O&Y has risen from the ashes and successfully recaptured their Canary Wharf development recently. Can someone confirm this?

Got to give it a 10, its my brother! :-)

Only 15 years ago, this whole area was an empty wasteland. Today, it's the 2nd most powerful financial district in the UK :



http://img218.exs.cx/img218/3152/docklands7vt.jpg

7.5/10

8/10 it's an obelisk

Ugly when I first saw it, but it has really grown on me. I love it now. Nothing special architecturally, though, so I give it an 8/10.

9/10 I like its simplicity.

I like this building, 10!

9/10

One of my favorite buildings! Love the top and the facade!
9.5/10

8.5/10

Thanks to Peyre for this pic.


http://www.atma83.dsl.pipex.com/Pics/London/22nd/cimg1513orignalcopy.jpg

8/10.

7.5.

this building would be a 5 for any other city but its london so 7/10

8/10

I like a lot the silver facade,the building's shape could be better,especially the top.

Nice tower. 7.5/10.

Without this building London would not currently have any new 'scrapers or any approved 'scrapers. The city of London (financial district) would not be approving anything unlike now, where there are plenty of projects in the pipeline as the city competes with a growing Canary Wharf for tenants.
One Canada Square is one of those buildings that looks far better in the flesh, especially whan the sun comes out. The stainless steel cladding was the master stroke in the design, as the building lights up during the setting sun.

9/10

I agree cabman, but my favourite is still the HSBC one with its smooth sleek facade, 8.5/10

7/10

9/10

8..

The cladding is unique and amazing...9/10

But I gave it a 10 to cancel out some of those who gave it a 1...I mean, come on.

Plain and simple 7.5/10

9/10- my second favorite building in the UK.

8/10

9.5/10

The design is simple but nice. I really like the materials he used though. 8.0

All hail Cesar............Peli

Tall and boring, 6.5

Pretty good for london architecture...eventhough they have some of the best..

9/10

currently one of the highest building of europe, nice piramidal roof and brillant facade

8/10

6 Big but too simple

7/10

8/10

8/10

7/10

9/10

7/10.

8/10

Can't say the design is Pelli's best, but it was brave to build this there anyway.
This once lonesome scraper has been acting like a beacon for the rebirth of Canary Wharf area. Although that's a rather massive tower, it does not look boxy thanks to clever setbacks and the pyramidal crown.
Good.
7.5

7/10

Nice building 8/10

I hate it, I think Cesar Pelli could have done a much nicer job than that. It looks like if he just changed the name of the World Financial Center in NYC and puted it in London, the same building. 3 or less/10

9/10

6.5/10, it was cool when it was first built, a novelty for London, but compared to the citys modern day proposals, well, look at it, its a box with a pyramid stuck on top.

classy, one of the best towers in Europe IMHO :bow:
9.5/10

7.5/10
Not bad, and has a nice roof

8/10

It's very 80's looking, but still not a bad building.

7.5/10 its a pretty tower. A little too much metal. reminds me of 3 World Financial Tower in NYC which is comparable height. But this one was a good choice to prep London for the skyscraper wars. But its time is done. Time to build higher London.

6/10

7.5/10.

--------

classic-style
7/10

I give this 8 out of 10. Its not the best, but its time as tallest in London is near over. I also watched it grow and remember when it was covered in bright blue plastic sheeting..

Also walking around this once derelict and deprived part of London, it was great to see this single lonesome tower in amongst the scorch marked old buildings or gaps in rows of houses from the blitz all around it.

http://www.pbase.com/kbmphotography/image/29878087.jpg

3/10

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7231/dscf1362copy3bw9mu.jpg

7/10

8/10

Beautiful... i like this a lot

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7153/2186632463991143a0o3ot.jpg

Great tower, the soul of Canary Wharf 9.5/10

i like it very much 8.5/10

8/10

9/10

i'm a huge fan of cesar pelli, and this is another times a great buiding 8.5/10

7/10

Well designed. A rich city and country like that can do A LOT better.

I like it. Fits with London. 8.5

7/10 :)

8/10

9. sweet!

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/4889/huhtx6.png

simple but great design, sober

7

a bit too fat but for the rest very nice 8/10

6 / 10

The usual.

http://i3.tinypic.com/2wq79sg.jpg

7/10

9/10 i think the weather has a huge effect on how it looks. when is Grey and cloudy it also looks dull and grey...

7/10

10/10

err 6/10.

10. looks like the 3 WFC. it's pretty nice.:D

Not bad..

8/10

Ah i like this one! 8,5 out of 10.

I don't like it 6/10

Classy 8/10

8/10

9.5/10

tbhtbh i think its better in real life,


even tho it looks stunning in the pictures

7/10

ok , and it certainly helped the "syscraper scene" in Europe , but I hate Thatcher , so a 4.

Honestly I expected that building to be very impressive in person after I had seen the renders. It wasn't. But still a nice and timeless design.

7.5/10

8/10 - loved it in Harry Potter :D

7/10

not bad 8/10

6/10

6/10

8,5/10

8/10

6/10

7/10.Very ordinary tower

It is pretty good...7/10

A little plain but its not ugly
6.5/10

6/10

ugly 6

7/10

7.5/10

7/10

not bad 8/10

6/10

7.5/10

8.5/10

8/10
A bit boring but also very nice!!!!!!

nice one

7.5/10

I'm very fond of it but the height is just a bit short.Still nice and sleek and looks awesome at night.Just wish London had a nicer taller building.8.5/10

8/10

7/10

7/10

7.5

7/10

8/10

8.5/10

This building looks just spectacular from the escalators when you are coming out from the Tube Station and you look up way above you to see it. It is the focal point of the whole CW area seen from the distance.

Nonetheless, I do wish it was a tad taller, so the skyline could apperar more "balanced"

9/10

Simple but very nice shape. My favorite in Europe for sure.

7.5/10

10/10

8/10

8/10

Elegant !

7.5/10

smart, but could've been taller- 7.5/10

8/10

9. Very good building. Regards.

6/10

I've never liked this one 5.5/10

so-so

5/10

8/10

5/10

'krazy 90s'

Cool 9/10

9/10
Nothing special, but i realy like something about it, that amkes me give it a 9 :D

Like the top.:D 9/10

Architectural masterpiece... 10/10

8/10

Not the best tower, but fits well in the skyline... :cheers:


http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/h5forem/Square_Canary_Wharf.jpg

I like the smaller ones :)

8/10

6/10

Kind of iconic for the new London but a dull design overall. 7

7.5/10 when i was passing by, it did not look very impressive