Gabrielle moved into Wardian on South Dock two years ago
(Picture: Matt Writtle)My partner and I bought our apartment at Wardian on South Dock before we got married and had children. We bought it off-plan, so we paid in instalments. We moved in two years ago. The first day we walked into the lobby, we looked at each other and high-fived.
Before this, we lived in Shadwell in an old converted pub. Even five years ago, Canary Wharf was a bit of a dead town and weekends would be quiet, which is totally different to what it is now. I’ve become one of those people who never wants to leave their local area — I’ve got everything I need on my doorstep.
Eating and drinking
There’s every kind of cuisine in every kind of setting here. If you want to eat on a floating restaurant, there’s the Hawksmoor on Water Street. Dishoom is opening up right next to it, too.
For a quick bite while shopping, there are loads of restaurants in the underground mall; if you want food by the water, you’ve got Gaucho on Westferry Circus.
The market hall next to Crossrail Place is good for a cheaper meal. My favourite is Garbanzos for a falafel wrap, opposite the Tube station. I’m obsessed with it at the moment – I pretend it’s for the kids, but it’s for me.
Where I work out
There are loads of places to get fit. There’s a Barry’s Bootcamp at Crossrail Place. Be prepared: the first time I went, I swear I tasted blood, it was that intense.
There’s a boxing place called Sweat next door. Their classes are really fun: there’s loud music, with someone shouting and giving you motivation.
I’m lucky because at Wardian there’s an epic 25m outside pool, which is surrounded by trees and plants. There’s also a gym.
In summer, they had free open water swimming at the Middle Dock. You can do paddleboarding and kayaking at the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre on Millwall outer dock, and you also see kids doing sailing classes.
To commune with nature
If you go to up to level 1 at Crossrail Place, there’s a free roof garden. It’s epic. The plants in there are from all over the world; it’s a really nice, tranquil place. There are lots of benches and it’s half-open. They always have plays, theatre productions and live music up there. It’s a hidden secret – when friends come to meet me in Canary Wharf, they have no idea it exists.
Jubilee Park, behind the station, is like a tiny version of Central Park. It’s really well landscaped and has fountains running through it. In summer, it’s absolutely packed – there’s nowhere to even sit. They do loads of events: Divali, Christmas, the Light Festival and a pop-up theatre in the summer.
Grocery shopping
There’s a mega Waitrose right next door to us on Canada Square. Tian Tian on Lanterns Way is a Chinese supermarket - we’re always going in there.
Just behind that on George Street, Wood Wharf, there’s an Italian supermarket called Mercato Metropolitano where you can get delicious fresh pasta and sauces.
For a culture fix
In winter, they have the Winter Lights Festival and the ice rink in Canada Square. In summer, there’s family and art festivals, plus big screens in Canada Square where you can watch films for free. I take my two little girls and we go with a picnic. There has also been free mini golf and a basketball court designed by artist Yinka Ilori.
I went to an immersive multi-sensory experience run by a company called Darkfield in three containers in Montgomery Square. It’s pitch black and focused on hearing and sound. I thought it was brilliant.
Fairgame on Fisherman’s Walk is like an adult fairground experience. There are Short Story Stations around Canary Wharf, where these machines will give you a little story if you press the button. That’s very different from what you’d see elsewhere.
There are also art pieces, installations and sculptures everywhere. You don’t feel like you’re going into a hard landscape – it’s a softer, more entertaining vibe where you’d want friends and family to come and meet you and walk around.
Getting around
We’re lucky with the Tube, DLR, Elizabeth line and Uber Boats. On weekends, we go up to Westminster or Battersea.
We’ve also got all the electric bikes here. Because there’s not much traffic, it’s a good place to practise.
Dream street
Where I am on Marsh Wall is probably the best, because Wardian overhangs the South Dock. It’s nice having water outside and a breeze. There’s a calming effect to being near to the water. You don’t feel like you’re in polluted London.
Something you’d only see in Canary Wharf
I’ve never been to an area where it’s so super clean. We have a sense of safety in all respects. Because it’s quite pedestrianised, I can go out with my kids without feeling like I have to hold their hands.
What’s the catch?
There isn’t a real children’s playground with a slide or swing in Canary Wharf. I’d also like more independent shops.
In three words
High-rise fantasy world.
Gabrielle runs architecture and interior design company Spot This Space (spotthisspace.com; @gabrielle_omar). She lives at Wardian.
Schools
There are eight primaries rated as Outstanding nearby, including Redriff, Mayflower and Bygrove primary schools.
For secondaries, the top choices are New City College, Canary Wharf College 3 and Bacon’s College, all ranked as good.
What it costs
Buying in Canary Wharf
Average flat price: £587,510
Average house price:£714,110
Renting in Canary Wharf
Average flat price, pcm: £2,480
Average house price, pcm: £3,060
