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Canada Square is one of the best-known areas of Canary Wharf. It was named so to honor the origins of Olympia & York, the Canadian company that had an important role in the development of Canary Wharf. This dock turned financial center was one of the busiest in the world before it closed in 1980. The name is taken from the West Wood Quay of the Import Dock built in 1936 for the Canary Islands fruit trade. The second tallest building in the UK can be found in this E14 area. One Canada Square was designed by Cesar Pelli and completed in 1991. It measures 771 feet. Until The Shard was built in 2012, One Canada Square was the tallest building. Residential tower Newfoundland Quay completed in 2019 measures 722 feet.
Cabot Square and Westferry Circus are other known Canary Wharf areas. Cabot Square borrows the name of Italian explorer John Cabot. It features a fountain and decorative art. A memorial stone honors Michael von Clemm, the banker who kick-started the transformation of this East London area from old docks into a financial center. American landscape architect Laurie Olin designed Westferry Circus. The timed lighting in the lower roundabout costs £34,800 per year. Museum of London Docklands was established in 2003 in a grade I listed 19th-century warehouse.
Some places in Canary Wharf are named after historical figures and personalities. Churchill Place is named after Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Skyscraper 25 Churchill Place has 23 floors and 426 feet. It hosts the European Medicines Agency and multinational professional services Ernst & Young. Columbus Courtyard is named after explorer Christopher Columbus. Chancellor Passage borrows the name of English explorer Richard Chancellor. He was the first one to sail the White Sea. Wren Landing is named after architect and scientist Christopher Wren. He designed St Paul’s Cathedral and rebuilt 52 London churches.