Crossrail Place, Roof garden and retail center in Canary Wharf, England
Crossrail Place is a roof garden above Canary Wharf Crossrail Station spanning more than 16.5 acres with around 800 plant species. The space sits directly above the underground transport hub and retail center, creating a contrast between the busy shopping level below and the green space above.
The garden opened in 2015 as part of the Crossrail transport development. Its design was inspired by the maritime trading history of Canary Wharf, with the layout suggesting a ship carrying plants collected from around the world.
The 80-seat amphitheater hosts free performances by local artists and community groups throughout the year. Visitors often stumble upon live music, theater, or other shows while walking through the space.
The garden opens daily until 9 pm or sunset during summer months, with plenty of walking paths and seating scattered throughout. Entry is straightforward as the space sits directly above the train station with good accessibility and no steep grades.
The layout follows the Prime Meridian with Asian plant species on the east side and American plants on the west side of this invisible line. This geographic ordering runs across the entire garden and gives the space a hidden educational layer many visitors miss.
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