Wardian London Penthouses, Isle of Dogs Building, River Thames Apartments, EcoWorld Ballymore Images

Wardian London on the Isle of Dogs

Luxury Penthouses in EcoWorld Ballymore Housing Development design by Glenn Howells Architects

19 February 2022

Photos © Hufton+Crow

The Observatory sky bar and lounge at Wardian

Discover one of London’s most exclusive residents’ bars, located on the 53^rd floor

Wardian London, the residential-led development situated adjacent to Canary Wharf comprising two towers of 55 and 50-storeys, has launched The Observatory: a botanically-inspired sky bar and lounge located on the 53^rd floor, offering breath-taking views across the capital.

photo © Hufton+Crow

One of the highest bars in London, The Observatory has floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides to flood the space with natural light and showcase the never-before-seen panoramic views of the iconic London landscape. Featuring stylish and comfortable lounge and dining spaces, as well as a wrap-around balcony and fully equipped bar and kitchen, this exclusive resident-only hideout is the perfect space to relax, work, eat and drink among the clouds, enhancing the ‘outside-in’ ethos which underpins the development.

Developed by EcoWorld Ballymore and designed by Glenn Howells Architects, Wardian overlooks South Quay in London’s Docklands and is a striking new addition to the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. Offering a serene escape from the urban density below, The Observatory at Wardian is inspired by exotic botanicals. Integrating indoor and outdoor living. The Observatory features tropical flowers, plants and trees from around the world, with an enclosed glass plant house entrance at its core, evoking a botanical collector’s den.

A world first in housing design, Wardian contains 767 homes including suites, one- and two-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Instantly recognisable by their generous wrap-around balconies and slender profiles, the towers house a grand lobby, 25-metre open air swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym and wellness facilities, with restaurant and retail outlets due to open this year.

Garnering inspiration from the Wardian glass case, which facilitated the transportation of tea plants across the globe, and the subsequent transformation of London’s Docklands into the commercial hub we know today, Wardian’s luxury suites, apartments and penthouses provide an oasis of calm for residents looking to create their very own botanical living space. With more than a hundred different species of exotic plants from across the world, Wardian reflects the botanic palm houses of Kew Gardens and the Barbican, creating a tranquil oasis home environment. 

The mental and physical health benefits of biophilic design and green spaces are being increasingly recognised in the modern age, and Wardian is a unique gem in one of the capital’s most cosmopolitan and commercial areas of Canary Wharf. With its very own indoor and outdoor landscaping service tailored to fit residents’ lifestyles, ‘The Gardener’ offers seasonal plant packages and comprehensive garden maintenance to maximise the floral variety of each apartment. It also brings the exceptionally uncommon Wollemi pine as well as a collection of over 100 species of other succulents, rare plants, trees and flowers to The Observatory and other public spaces across the development.

Following its launch, The Observatory will host a carefully-curated rolling programme of events throughout the year, designed to reflect residents’ interests, including wine tastings, game nights, summer parties and floristry classes.

Studio apartments at Wardian start from £516,000, with one bed apartments starting from £765,000, two bed apartments starting from £1,050,000 and penthouses from £1,850,000.

This month The Penthouses are unveiled: a collection of luxury duplex apartments commanding breath-taking views of the London skyline. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a private wrap-around sky garden create a seamless transition from interior to exterior, and flood the penthouses with natural light, providing the perfect space for entertaining and unwinding. Sanctuaries of quiet luxury, five penthouses are available now and start from £1,850,000.

Also launching at Wardian are the first commercial tenants, Botanical Boys, who are due to open the doors to their new plant store in early March and continue their mission of connecting people with nature. Offering popular terrarium masterclasses and selling a wide range of indoor plants, stylish pots and interior design treasures, Botanical Boys are following the success of their first store in Coal Drops Yard; they will also offer Wardian residents on-site assistance with their sky garden designs and give advice on plant care. In April they will be joined by Espresso Room, a soulful neighbourhood coffee shop serving specialty coffee and freshly-made food at Wardian.

Photographs © Hufton+Crow

Previously on e-architect:

16 Aug 2019

Wardian London Topping Out

Design: Glenn Howells Architects

Location: The Isle of Dogs, London, England, UK

Topping Out of Wardian London

Bringing urban oasis to Canary Wharf

London: 16th August 2019 – EcoWorld Ballymore yesterday celebrated a milestone in the future of London housing as their visionary, botanical development, Wardian London officially ‘topped out.’

Overlooking the South Dock and adjacent to Canary Wharf, the 57 storey residential-led development set to complete in 2020 is a world’s first in housing design by offering residents access to a green, tranquil escape in one of London’s busiest and in-demand commercial neighbourhoods.

Huw Morgan, Landscape Architect (left) & Glenn Howells, Glenn Howells Architects (right):

EcoWorld Ballymore celebrated the development’s unique connection to the natural world with a special moment, which saw resident gardener, Huw Morgan tend to the exotic plants and trees within what will be the building’s 53rd floor sky garden when complete.

With residents set to move in to their new homes in 2020, the ceremony was a significant landmark for Wardian London. The developer’s vision for a green escape from Canary Wharf’s urban landscape first started 2016, when construction of the large-scale housing project began. Following completion, the development will offer residents a unique opportunity to benefit from green spaces whilst being just minutes away from one of London’s most vibrant and well-connected commercial centres.

Designed in collaboration with Glenn Howells Architects, Wardian London comprises two residential towers of 55 and 50-storeys which contain 766 homes including suites, one and two-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Instantly recognisable by their generous wrap-around balconies and slender profiles, the towers land onto a two-storey podium, housing a grand lobby, pool, and restaurant and retail outlets.

Glenn Howells, Glenn Howells Architects & Huw Morgan, Landscape Architect:

Throughout the development, Wardian cases (glass terrariums) can be found filled with exotics trees and plants, many of which are completely new to the UK. Residents are openly encouraged to enter and explore the different cases and the plants within, which have matured alongside the project due to being procured up to 2 years prior to installation. Every resident will also become a member of The Wardian Club, allowing access to exclusive facilities including a 25m open air swimming pool, gym, cinema, two restaurants and a vibrant rooftop observatory.

Wardian London will create a serene escape from Canary Wharf’s dense, urban environment; integrating indoor and outdoor living, connecting residents with the beauty of nature and bringing botanical beauty to this part of the capital.

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Liew Kee Sin, Executive Vice Chairman, EcoWorld International, said: “It has been a great pleasure to see the development take shape and become one of the most highly-anticipated housing developments in London, and I am delighted to be able to celebrate its topping-out – a momentous occasion for EcoWorld Ballymore.”

Sean Mulryan, Chairman & Group Chief Executive of Ballymore Group added: “Ballymore have owned the site on which Wardian now stands for 25 years so it brings me great joy to see these two beautiful new towers standing on what has been such an underutilised space for so long. This is a huge milestone for the development and we cannot wait to see the first units complete and first residents move in early next year.

We have worked closely with Glenn Howells Architects to create a building that is beautiful on the inside and out, a sleek, geometric exterior gives way to a luscious, green oasis inside. Moments from urban, commercial Canary Wharf, Wardian creates a place to breathe and we are incredible proud of what has been achieved.”

Sean Mulryan, Chairman & Group Chief Executive of Ballymore Group & Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Liew Kee Sin, Executive Vice Chairman, EcoWorld International:

About Wardian London:
Developed by EcoWorld Ballymore, Wardian London is a residential development that comprises 766 private apartments contained in two towers rising to 50 and 55 storeys and with panoramic views of Canary Wharf. Each apartment comes complete with a private ‘sky garden’, up to 37.2 square metres in size, and the development takes inspiration from the Wardian Case – used to transport exotic plants around the world in the 19th Century. Characterised by its biophilic design, Wardian London incorporates nature into private and communal spaces throughout the development, providing an urban oasis in one of London’s most vibrant commercial centres.

About EcoWorld Ballymore:
EcoWorld Ballymore is formed of Eco World International Berhad, an international property developer with presence in the United Kingdom and Australia, and Ballymore, who have over 20 years’ experience in the London property market. The two companies share the vision of creating some of London’s most exciting and innovative residential developments. Their joint venture represents a careful balance of investment in three of the most important waterside development projects in London’s future, both east and west: Embassy Gardens, London City Island and Wardian London.

Previously on e-architect:

28 Apr 2017

Wardian London Luxury Penthouses

Design: Glenn Howells Architects

Location: the Isle of Dogs, London, UK

Wardian London Penthouses

EcoWorld Ballymore offer the gift of time with the launch of the Penthouses at Wardian London

– Twelve penthouses provide outside-in living, bringing botanical beauty to Canary Wharf –

London: Thursday 28th April – EcoWorld Ballymore today launch twelve luxury penthouses for sale at Wardian London, offering residents a botanical oasis with panoramic views of Canary Wharf and the City. The homes will offer buyers the gift of time, being ideally located to the financial districts of Canary Wharf and The City.

Situated overlooking South Quay in London’s Docklands, the Wardian penthouses are Wardian London’s premier residential units. The penthouses sit atop two magnificent towers rising to 50 and 55 storeys, each comes complete with a spacious garden terrace up to 32.7 sq. m in size. The launch includes four three-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments in the West Tower, along with three two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment in the East Tower. Penthouses start from £1.85m.

Wardian London takes inspiration from the Wardian case, the 19th Century creation of Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward which revolutionised the transportation of exotic plants across the globe. Designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the development is a testament to Ward’s botanical legacy and is characterised by bold lines and geometry. This 21st Century modernism is fused with innovative landscaping to achieve the best use of space and light, and the communal spaces, from the atrium to the private outdoor swimming pool, will showcase over 100 different species of exotic plants.

The penthouse interiors have been styled by a bespoke team of designers who drew inspiration from the developments unique eco-concept and make use of a plethora of natural organic materials and an earthy colour palette. Such an approach seeks to blur the boundaries between the privacy of apartment living and the luscious vibrancy of the innovative sky gardens so that when all the windows are opened up the space and colours transition from the external space to the internal seamlessly. Traditional craft techniques were used to give the interiors an artisan’s touch, with unlacquered marble, stone and brass, as well as raw, shaved, organic times to lend a hand-finished feel.

The development is defined by its connectivity, perfectly suited for the modern buyer whose most precious commodity is time. Not only do the penthouses provide a tranquil escape, they seamlessly coexist with one of London’s most vibrant and well-connected commercial centres. Just a three minute walk from Cabot Square, Wardian boasts superior transport links to destinations across the capital. The introduction of Crossrail in 2018 will improve connectivity further, dramatically cutting travel times and linking Canary Wharf to London’s other major business hotspots. London City Airport also provides a convenient route to the continent and beyond.

In keeping with EcoWorld Ballymore’s commitment to embracing green spaces, Wardian London has its very own indoor and outdoor landscaping service. Tailored to fit residents’ lifestyles, ‘The Gardener’ offers seasonal plant packages and comprehensive garden maintenance to maximise the floral variety of each penthouse. In addition, every resident will become a member of The Wardian Club, allowing access to exclusive facilities including a 25m open air swimming pool, gym, cinema, two restaurants and a vibrant rooftop observatory. A 24 hour concierge service is also provided.

2 Mar 2017

Wardian London

Design: Glenn Howells Architects

Location: the Isle of Dogs, London, UK

Wardian London

On Thursday 2nd March, EcoWorld Ballymore will release the latest properties for sale at Wardian London. Situated close to Canary Wharf, Wardian London is a much sought after development, inspired by botanicals and the legacy of Nathanial Bagshaw Ward who created the Wardian case to transport exotic plants back to the UK during the British Empire. The architecture adopted by Wardian incorporates nature into its design with every apartment featuring a beautiful sky garden. These will slowly transform with the seasons, promoting an enhanced sense of living and wellbeing.

The two bedroom Hortorium apartments to be released at the launch will all have their own individual garden terrace, up to 37.2 square metres in size, that will be looked after by an onsite Wardian gardener. The atriums and communal areas in the buildings, including the swimming pool, will be surrounded by greenery with over 100 different species of exotic plants for residents to enjoy. Prices for homes available for sale on Thursday will start from £617,500 with a selection of suites, 1 and 2 bed units available for sale in both the East and West Tower.

The launch itself will be held between 2-8pm on Thursday 2nd March at the Design Cube, Marsh Wall with delicious botanical inspired canapés and cocktails served throughout the day. As part of the event two half hour talks will be given by Michael Pawlyn, at 5pm and 7pm. Michael was responsible for creating the biomes at the Eden Project and is a passionate speaker on the use of nature to create wellness in design. The talks aim to provide more background on how incorporating nature into design and architecture has the potential to create a more positive and fulfilled lifestyle.

Just a three minute walk from Cabot Square, the new homes are situated in two tall buildings rising to 50 and 55 storeys, overlooking South Dock with stunning views of Canary Wharf and the City. This impressive development is designed by Glenn Howells Architects with the first residents expected to move in during 2019.

Residents will have access to The Wardian Club, offering a range of glamorous spaces and facilities. Like all their schemes, Ballymore will continue to manage the development after completion so residents will benefit from an exceptional level of service, including a 24 hour concierge.

The location of the event is The Design Cube, 76 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9SL. The closest station to this location is South Quay on the DLR.

EcoWorld Ballymore, one of London’s most prominent property developers, are currently selling units in both the West and East Towers of Wardian London, the new riverside development located moments from Canary Wharf. Just a three minute walk from Cabot Square, the new homes include suites, 1, 2 bedroom apartments and penthouses situated in two tall towers rising to 50 and 55 storeys. This impressive development is designed by Glenn Howells Architects with the first residents expected to move in during 2019.

Wardian London is inspired by the Wardian glass case, created in the 19th Century in East London by Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward to transport exotic plants around the world. Overlooking South Dock with stunning views of Canary Wharf and the City, this botanically-inspired scheme offers extensive private ‘sky gardens’ with every resident having their own tranquil oasis to escape to.

In keeping with the design roots of the building and its namesake – possibly the first flat-pack creations – Blackdown Horticulture, leading experts in roof gardens, have collaborated with Wardian London to make innovative ‘flat-pack gardens’ available to all buyers. ‘The Gardener’, a bespoke indoor and outdoor landscaping service, will provide an assortment of plant packages and comprehensive garden maintenance, tailored to fit residents’ lifestyles; with a florist on-site.

Alongside the apartments, Wardian London will contain a landscaped public plaza with more than 100 species of plants and flowers, a vibrant rooftop observatory bar, two restaurants and a 25 metre open air swimming pool set within a flourishing tropical environment. The West Tower will also feature the serene ‘Western Garden’ – a large landscaped area extending to four storeys, on the Western side of the building.

Rare plants and trees, like those first transported to London by Wardian Cases at the peak of the British Empire, will be sourced for the landscaped public areas. The Gardener is also delighted to be bringing the exceptionally uncommon Wollemi Pine to Wardian, as well as introducing a collection of succulents, providing high style and a thick, verdant landscape floor to all outdoor living space. These succulent plant collections display a seasonal variety, which allow the elevated outdoors to move with nature’s rhythms.

Furthermore, residents will have access to The Wardian Club, offering a range of glamorous spaces and facilities. Like all their schemes, Ballymore will continue to manage the development after completion so residents will benefit from an exceptional level of service, including a 24 hour concierge.

Wardian London on the Isle of Dogs images / information received 020317

Wardian London Apartments: West and East Towers

Wardian London on the Isle of Dogs

London City Island Apartments by EcoWorld Ballymore

Eco World Ballymore Housing, London

Glenn Howells Architects on e-architect

Location: Canary Wharf, London, England, UK