One Canada Square (Canary Wharf Tower) question

ScarySquirrel · 25 Nov 2008 at 09:37

Does anyone know if there is an observation deck that is open to the public?

I have a meeting there today and I would like to go to the top, despite being **** scared of heights, I want to (try to) overcome my fear

Confused · 25 Nov 2008 at 09:39

I don't know the answer, but kudos for wanting to overcome your fear - good luck with that

ScarySquirrel · 25 Nov 2008 at 09:42

Confused said:
I don't know the answer, but kudos for wanting to overcome your fear - good luck with that

I'll need it.

Also, if anyone does know, is it an open observation deck (as in, can you feel the wind etc.)

I am much better if I am in an enclosed space at a height. Not so good when it is open. I am also fine with heights of around 1-10 storys (if inside), 1-4 storys (if outside). However, in planes I feel 100% safe. It is weird.

[DOD]Asprilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 09:42

I don't think so. I used to be on the 42nd floor and if I remember rightly the Olympic bid folks had the top floor where the observation bit used to be.

You could try the balcony at St Pauls. I didn't make it up there to be honest, but the view over the city and river should be great.

Mad old tory · 25 Nov 2008 at 10:01

Pretty sure there isn't unfortunately.

-Ad- · 25 Nov 2008 at 10:05

Doubt it, although I'm happy just looking at the outside of it from my office

Maybe pop along and put something in their suggestions box.

*Note*
People around here don't park too close together, so you should have no trouble getting into a gap

ScarySquirrel · 25 Nov 2008 at 10:08

Bugger, just read this:

Despite its status as the United Kingdom's tallest building, there is currently no public observation floor. However, there was an exception during 12 September 1992 - 10 November 1992, when bankruptcy administrators for Olympia & York Canary Wharf Limited opened the 50th floor to the public, in order to maintain interest in Canary Wharf. The scheme was stopped on 10 November 1992 when the IRA attempted to bomb the tower[24] (see Terrorism section).

-Ad- said:
*Note*
People around here don't park too close together, so you should have no trouble getting into a gap

LOL! I met the guy in the end and was very apologetic. I had cracked his number plate it seemed and I offered to pay the cost of repair. He said not to worry and we had a nice chat. He left the note only because in the last 7 months he has had about 5 people bump, scratch, hit, or generally damage his car

-Ad- · 25 Nov 2008 at 10:35

ScarySquirrel said:
Bugger, just read this:

Thought so, maybe just get a dominoes jacket, some empty pizza boxes, and say PIZZA for the 50th, extra peperroni

LOL! I met the guy in the end and was very apologetic. I had cracked his number plate it seemed and I offered to pay the cost of repair. He said not to worry and we had a nice chat. He left the note only because in the last 7 months he has had about 5 people bump, scratch, hit, or generally damage his car

We will never forget that thread, this is Ocuk after all. Lucky you found someone reasonable these days, not many people left like that. Well from what I've seen.

Have a wonder round the shopping centre when your done, lots of nice shops, but it is quite confusing with small escalators etc. Bene bene does awesome chiabata sandwiches and krispe kreme dohnuts is next door. Nom nom nom.

Strife212 · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:03

Look at me I have a job at Canary Wharf thread

[DOD]Asprilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:08

Strife212 said:
Look at me I have a job at Canary Wharf

And that's a good thing at the moment?

Even if there was an observation deck at Canary Wharf they would probably have closed it to stop jumpers now anyway!

ScarySquirrel · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:18

Strife212 said:
Look at me I have a job at Canary Wharf thread

LOL.

No, I don't. I just have a meeting there. I work outside of London.

Vanilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:21

No there isn't, I used to spend a lot of time on the top floor as it used to be owned by Bear Stearns.

Used to sit myself in a corner meeting room and spend the day working looking out over London :cool:

Vanilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:21

[DOD]Asprilla;12962939 said:
And that's a good thing at the moment?

Why wouldn't it be? :confused:

megakid · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:26

Vanilla said:
Why wouldn't it be?

I think he was getting at the fact that if you did have a job at Canary Wharf, you'd probably work in banking/finance and you might not be there for much longer

[DOD]Asprilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:27

Vanilla said:
Why wouldn't it be?

Surely it should have been 'I still have a job at Canary Wharf'.

I was referencing that fact that London has shed a large number of financial sector jobs already this year, is expected to shed a lot more in the next 12 months and Citi ain't looking great at the moment.

megakid said:
I think he was getting at the fact that if you did have a job at Canary Wharf, you'd probably work in banking/finance and you might not be there for much longer

Aye.

Vanilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:30

[DOD]Asprilla;12963038 said:
Surely it should have been 'I still have a job at Canary Wharf'.

I was referencing that fact that London has shed a large number of financial sector jobs already this year, is expected to shed a lot more in the next 12 months and Citi ain't looking great at the moment.

Aye.

Yes, I know, but only a small part of the Canary Wharf area is actually finance these days - lots of big names yes...but it's spread out greatly in the last few years and it's not all finance. The job cuts are small - Lehmans was the only really one that was major and it clocked in at a few thousand.

The US is always going to take the brunt of the job losses because of the lax employment laws.

[DOD]Asprilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:34

OK, I apologise for the generalisation, based upon the public perception of Canary Wharf.

As I mentioned earlier I've worked there before so I know what it's like, but it's still at a high concentration of financial services and therefore likely to see job cuts based upon the current projections.

Vanilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:34

megakid said:
I think he was getting at the fact that if you did have a job at Canary Wharf, you'd probably work in banking/finance and you might not be there for much longer

I know but come on, it's a bit pie in the sky that everyone in the finance sector is going to lose their job. Bloody nose? Yup. All gone? Nope

Vanilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:37

[DOD]Asprilla;12963075 said:
OK, I apologise for the generalisation, based upon the public perception of Canary Wharf.

As I mentioned earlier I've worked there before so I know what it's like, but it's still at a high concentration of financial services and therefore likely to see job cuts based upon the current projections.

Apology not accepted, I am offended!!!

No seriously the best thing about Canary Wharf is the women, but they only come out in the summer. They're like plumbers, they must spend winter in Spain and come back to the UK for summer to work

[DOD]Asprilla · 25 Nov 2008 at 11:41

Vanilla said:
Apology not accepted, I am offended!!!

/wipes tear from eye.

Vanilla said:
No seriously the best thing about Canary Wharf is the women, but they only come out in the summer. They're like plumbers, they must spend winter in Spain and come back to the UK for summer to work

I don't know what it is about CW; it's got everything I would want from a work location. It's realtively easy to get to, it clean, the buildings are good, there is penty to do, plenty of places to eat and drink, it's a decent place to go for a run and there is plenty of shopping, but I just don't enjoy being there.

It's got something missing that I just can't put my finger on. If the work goes there I'll happly go down there again, but I'll always prefer being in the City.