An image of 8 Harbord Square. It's a building with dark red bricks, and plants on either side of it's doorway. It has the words '8 Harbord Square' written on it in white paint.

8 Harbord Square. Image courtesy of Canary Wharf Group.

Wood Wharf: Tower Hamlets’ newest standout neighbourhood is creating a buzz

30 May 2025 Sophie Howarth

Fresh community retail spaces and a vibrant atmosphere – why Wood Wharf is rising as a local hotspot.

For years, Wood Wharf stood quietly as a pocket of East London rich with maritime history but largely overlooked as the district around it transformed into a thriving centre for business.

Today, that picture is changing.

Over the past decade, Wood Wharf has undergone a thoughtful transformation. What was once a disused corner of the Docklands is now evolving into a place with its own identity – one that champions independent business, modern living, and a sense of community.

Nestled between South Dock and Blackwall Basin, Wood Wharf’s regeneration has been led by Canary Wharf Group (CWG) in partnership with Tower Hamlets Council. Their shared vision? To create a space that not only reflects the area’s industrial heritage but also supports local people and businesses.

One way they’re doing this is by offering a range of business units of varying sizes to help independent traders and startups find a foothold in the area. The result is an emerging network of local shops, studios and services that feel rooted in place.

Among the first to set up shop are The Flower Club, Awe London, Wayne Salon and The Island Studio – small, independently run businesses that are bringing colour and character to the streets of Wood Wharf.

A shelf with an array of artfully arranged items, including flowers, vases and books. — The Flower Club. Image courtesy of Canary Wharf Group.

The recent opening of Union Square has helped tie the neighbourhood together. This new pedestrian-friendly route weaves through the heart of Wood Wharf, making it easier to explore on foot and connecting visitors to the area’s growing mix of shops, parks, restaurants and homes.

One of the key buildings in the neighbourhood is 8 Harbord Square — a 12-storey residence offering loft-style open-plan homes and a cluster of street-level retail units. Designed with flexibility in mind, it reflects a broader approach across Wood Wharf, encouraging spaces that feel open, adaptable, and community-focused.

As an established neighbourhood with over 3,500 people already calling Wood Wharf home, the 8 Harbord Square retailers will join established services including a GP surgery, vets and a multi-purpose sports hall, In2Sports. Another recent neighbour is Vertus Edit, Canary Wharf’s first aparthotel, bringing a more flexible style of urban living to the area.

An image of a brightly coloured kitchen, with red tiles, red wales, red cabinets and red chairs at a kitchen counter. In front of the kitchen, there is a green glass table with deep blue chairs. On the kitchen shelves there are an array of plates and glasses. — Vertus Edit Aparthotel. Image courtesy of Canary Wharf Group.

The name ‘Wood Wharf’ harks back to the area’s past life as a dock for timber storage and ship repairs. Activity here peaked in the early 20th century, before entering a long period of decline as the shipping industry left East London.

While the wider Canary Wharf estate soared in the decades that followed, Wood Wharf remained largely untouched – until the momentum of the 2012 Olympic Games helped reignite efforts to regenerate East London. CWG, which had previously held a minority stake in the site, bought the freehold in 2012 and began construction in 2016.

The approach has been gradual, but intentional, blending modern architecture with open public spaces and ensuring independent voices are part of the mix.

With Canary Wharf attracting more than 72 million visitors last year and now home to over 320 retailers and 80 cafes, bars and restaurants, there’s a growing sense that Wood Wharf is finding its place – not as an extension of Canary Wharf, but as a distinctive and human-scale neighbourhood in its own right.

Whether you’re stopping by for a waterside stroll, visiting a local business, or just curious to see how the area is changing, Wood Wharf offers a fresh perspective on East London’s transformation – one that balances heritage, community, and a sense of possibility.

For more information, visit canarywharf.com

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