Heron Quays West | Canary Wharf | 198m/147m/95m | 34/22/13 fl | App

[Trances]

Changing this to residential should mean this could be started sooner right? No need to wait for a big prelet? (Still need to sell many apartments I know)

[gegloma01]

After considering alternative developments for Heron Quays West, Canary Wharf has finally decided to go ahead with the construction of the approved office development. The first stage consists of: removal of the last two remaining buildings, reclamation of part of West India Docks, formation of a cofferdam and piling.
Link to documents: http://planreg.towerhamlets.gov.uk/W...s=Heron%20Quay

[DeFiBkIlLeR]

Well that's damn good news...

But I suppose this being CW, none of it will happen until they secure a pre-let?

Or will they go ahead with ground works and piling, then cap it off and wait for a tenant.?

[Pants1254]

Im so glad this office development is going ahead I really like this scheme even though I agree with some of the office schemes being converted into residential schemes I didnt want this one to change I think Canary Wharf still needs large office buildings to keep attracting large companies.

[gegloma01]

Originally Posted by DeFiBkIlLeR

But I suppose this being CW, none of it will happen until they secure a pre-let?Or will they go ahead with ground works and piling, then cap it off and wait for a tenant.?

Intend is to build it speculatively. This long term development of 110,000 sqm is designed to match future expected office demand (long-term average around 25,000 sqm per year), with external completion/occupancy due in 2017/2018, same time as Crossrail. Of course CWG can change its mind anytime, depending on market conditions, like any other developments. Here below some renderings in GE of CW as it is now and with all committed schemes: Indescon Court Phase 2, Providence Tower, Landmark North and HQW.

Before

image hosted on flickr


After

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Before

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After

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Reminder of the pictures taken by Darjole:

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[Loathing]

Very decent stuff. Two world-class [st]architects side-by-side in Canary Wharf is a real blessing, and since they're on the western side they'll be highly visible from the City/Westminster.

[Black Cat]

This is quite unexpected news - there's definately a sense that projects which have been frozen are beginning to unthaw, though this is a large amount of floorspace to put on the market speculatively.

Could it be that, as suggested by Defibkiller, this may move forward to site prep/foundation structure stage and then be put on hold to await a prelet agreement is put in place?

Otherwise, lets hope it gets constructed - a clear expression of confidence in the future of CW.

[SkyScraperRaper]

I do like the Heron Quays building (the stepped building).

Something like that along the Thames in a more central area would look great.

I think one of those stepped buildings either side of Batersea power station would have looked damned good.

[delores]

Good news indeed, it will be good to see an actually interesting building going up in the Wharf compared to the humdrum efforts to the east of the development.

[TheSunsArchitect]

This is incredible news, this is such a stunning building.

It will also bring City pride into the main cluster, which, considering it's height, is not a bad thing!

[gegloma01]

Originally Posted by Black Cat

this is a large amount of floorspace to put on the market speculatively.

Yes, but actual occupation will not take place before 2018: 4 years to build; another year for internal fit out, etc. It represents around 200,000, sq ft per year to have it fully let until completion. And the long-term average of new office demand in the estate is around 250,000 ft per year. Under these circumstances, the construction of HQW even sounds as a conservative decision.

Originally Posted by Black Cat

Could it be that, as suggested by Defibkiller, this may move forward to site prep/foundation structure stage and then be put on hold to await a prelet agreement is put in place?

It could be. Anytime. Depending on the evolving market conditions. But, and as far as I understand, Songbird Estates intends to build it speculatively to match future expected demand, as explained above. The real question to me was whether they would first develop Park Place, Wood Wharf, Heron Quays West, North Quay, or Riverside South on behalve of JP Morgan. Now we know the answer: HQW.

[DeFiBkIlLeR]

Originally Posted by gegloma01

Yes, but actual occupation will not take place before 2018: 4 years to build; another year for internal fit out, etc. It represents around 200,000, sq ft per year to have it fully let until completion. And the long-term average of new office demand in the estate is around 250,000 ft per year. Under these circumstances, the construction of HQW even sounds as a conservative decision.

Maybe they've decided to continue with this as a direct result of the change of emphasis to the Wood Wharf development.

WW was going to have a few office buildings of this size and floor plate capacity, now its planned to have mainly low rise, flexible floor plate buildings,suitable for start up business, with only one building over 150m.

HQW would be a good replacement for the big reduction in WW.

Do you expect it to start construction this year..?

[Core Rising]

Glad it's going ahead and with the original design. It reminds me a little of the HSBC building in Hong Kong.

[gegloma01]

Originally Posted by DeFiBkIlLeR

Do you expect it to start construction this year..?

Yes: demolition of the two remaining buildings, then land reclamation in West India Docks, and formation of the cofferdam, followed by piling.

Two additional renders from GE:

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[DeFiBkIlLeR]

Given the amount of ground works needed, I guess it will be well into 2014 or early 2015 before we see anything rise above ground level.

[SF-02]

Those models are fantastic. The West side will really flesh out. 40 Marsh Wall also has a confirmed hotel tenant now so should definitely be going ahead near to Heron Quays west. It would be great to see it on the model.

[JackoGunnerGoCrazy]

Stuff at Canary Wharf (one started) tends to go up quicker than things in other parts of London though - so maybe we could see this break ground early next year if work is started in the next couple of months or so.

[hugh]

Re HSBC Hong Kong, someone was giving it a bit of a slagging round here earlier, it does look a bit dated, and perhaps not as impressive as before (no longer 'cutting edge'), but I think, if it sticks around a bit longer, it'll come into its own.

[Black Cat]

The HKSB remains impressive IMO. Other buildings arise around it, but the HKSB is still the building occupying the most prestigious site in HK and is no more dated than Lloyds in London - its still stunning to look at and go inside.

[Langur]

Originally Posted by hugh

Re HSBC Hong Kong, someone was giving it a bit of a slagging round here earlier, it does look a bit dated, and perhaps not as impressive as before (no longer 'cutting edge'), but I think, if it sticks around a bit longer, it'll come into its own.

They're probably brainless morons who measure architectural value in terms of metres. Sadly there's rather a lot on these forums. HSBC remains the best building in HK alongside the Bank of China.