The Royal Wharf Pier won the category of Transport & Infrastructure (Unbuilt Winner) at last week’s 2019 New London Awards. Developed by Ballymore & Oxley and designed by Nex—, the Royal Wharf Pier is a state-of-the-art new riverboat terminal and public space on the Thames. Located at the landmark Royal Wharf development in Royal Docks, Royal Wharf Pier’s contemporary design replaces a derelict jetty for MBNA Thames Clippers’ traffic while providing a unique and generous public space for Londoners. Royal Wharf Pier is a contemporary response to the traditional British seaside pier, consisting of an expansive 162m2 viewing platform and angular shelter which leads on to a floating gangway and terminal pontoon.
Royal Wharf Pier responds to the diverse needs of Londoners, both as a viable alternative method of transport and through its promotion of the Thames which is widely regarded as an underused resource. The new pier is a vital component of east London’s ever-expanding transport infrastructure, providing improved connectivity to and from central London for Royal Wharf residents, the Newham community and those looking for a scenic route to London City Airport. Non-road travel is an essential part of the sustainability and growth of London’s commuter network and Royal Wharf Pier will soon take a leading role in this change.
Comprising 3,385 new homes set on 40 acres along the river, Royal Wharf is located moments from Canary Wharf, with outstanding transport links to central London. Residents are able to reach the West End in 20 minutes, Canary Wharf in five minutes and London City Airport in two minutes. Connectivity will be further improved when the new riverboat pier opens later this year for MBNA Thames Clipper traffic and the opening of a new Crossrail station at Custom House will mean that residents can reach Heathrow Airport in just 41 minutes and the West End in 15 minutes. The homes command spectacular views over the river Thames, O2 and Canary Wharf and have been inspired by the traditional Georgian architecture of Belgravia and Fitzrovia.
Awards in the Transport & Infrastructure category were granted to those who improve the experience of moving around the city and add to the quality of the environment; and infrastructure projects – water, waste, energy – that help London work more efficiently and sustainably.
The New London Awards recognise the very best in architecture, planning and development in the capital, including both new and proposed projects across all sectors of the built environment, selected by an international expert jury.
