We are delighted to celebrate the first phase of opening at urbanest Canary Wharf.

In the coming weeks, our tenth and largest community will become home to 1,672 UCL students, while an additional 80 residential apartments will provide accommodation to UCL staff and PhD students.

This landmark development comprises three towers of 28, 36, and 46 storeys, connected by a four-storey podium. Residents will benefit from a wide range of amenities, including a gym, yoga studio, cinema, study spaces and games rooms, all located within an elevated skybridge connecting the two student accommodation towers.

The scheme features a range of room types, including Studios, En-suite Rooms and Private Bedrooms, offering accommodation to suit a wide range of student needs and preferences.

Supporting London’s leading universities

Reflecting urbanest’s strategic commitment to supporting London universities and their accommodation ambitions, urbanest Canary Wharf represents the largest addition to UCL’s accommodation portfolio and builds on our ongoing successful partnership at urbanest King’s Cross and urbanest St Pancras.

Developed in partnership with UCL, the scheme significantly increases access to high-quality, affordable student accommodation in central London while helping to meet the University’s long-term accommodation strategy.

Located moments away from the UCL School of Management at One Canada Square and within close reach of UCL East in Stratford, the development also benefits from good transport connections to UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, providing students with convenient access to university facilities across London.

The development also supports UCL’s sustainability ambitions as part of the UCL Sustainability Plan 2025-35. As one of the largest Passivhaus developments in the world, urbanest Canary Wharf has been designed to set new standards for sustainable student living.

Setting a new benchmark for sustainable living

In targeting Passivhaus and BREEAM Outstanding, the ambition was to deliver a healthier, more comfortable and highly energy-efficient living environment for our residents at a scale that has never been achieved before in the sector.

The Passivhaus design helps the building maintain a thermally stable space, reducing the need for residents to use heating and cooling systems thanks to efficient use of the sun, internal heat sources and a fully mechanical ventilation system that filters incoming air to provide a clean space to live and work in. The use of Air Source Heat Pumps and an ambient loop system also allow for significant heating and cooling related energy savings compared to average new builds. Reduced thermal bridging through high-performance opaque and transparent façade elements also contribute to a comfortable interior environment, and the building’s electricity is provided from 100% renewable sources.

Acrylicize

To help create a strong sense of place and community, urbanest has once again partnered with London-based creative studio Acrylicize to deliver a series of bespoke artwork installations throughout the development.

The artwork is inspired by four key themes: Sustainability, Act Positively, London as a Green City, and Community Spirit. The installations celebrate the character of Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs while encouraging residents to think positively about sustainability, community and their impact on the world around them.

Students from UCL’s Slade School of Fine Art have also contributed paintings and photographic works through the urbanest Art Prize, helping to connect residents with UCL’s creative culture and creating a unique living environment.

We look forward to sharing further details of the project, including full visuals, in the coming weeks.

“urbanest Canary Wharf is a significant milestone in our partnership with UCL and reflects our shared commitment to providing exceptional accommodation for students in London. We are proud to have delivered a landmark development that expands accommodation capacity while also setting new standards for sustainability. As one of the largest Passivhaus developments in the world, urbanest Canary Wharf has been designed to provide an exceptional student experience, and we look forward to seeing the scheme become a vibrant new community in the weeks ahead.”

Anthony Mellalieu, Chief Operating Officer