One Canada Square

One Canada Square is a skyscraper on the Isle of Dogs in London, rising 240 meters (787 feet) above street level. Its pyramid roof carries a red aircraft warning light system visible across the city at night.

The tower opened in 1991 and held the title of tallest building in the United Kingdom for over two decades. The Shard overtook it in 2012 when completed south of the Thames.

The building takes its name from Canada Square, the central plaza in the Canary Wharf financial district where it stands. Thousands of office workers pass through its lobby each weekday, making it a regular part of daily commuting life in east London.

The tower is primarily a private office building with no public access to upper floors. Visitors can enter the ground floor lobby and explore the connected underground shopping center through several entrances around the plaza.

During its first December after opening, the tower used laser projections on its facade to distract from low occupancy rates during a recession. The light displays attracted curious onlookers and became an unexpected marketing success.

Location: Isle of Dogs

Inception: 1991

Architects: César Pelli

Floors above the ground: 50

Elevators: 32

Height: 240 m

Address: Canada Square 1, London, England

GPS coordinates: 51.50500,-0.02000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 21:53