The 86-acre Canary Wharf Estate is one of London’s newest premier business and financial districts, with thriving retail shops, restaurants, bars, healthcare and fitness and leisure facilities to accompany the office blocks. Canary Wharf encompasses one of the largest, if not largest, greenroofed areas in England, at between 5,000 and 6,000 square meters. Canary Wharf wanted a green element to be viewed from the main tower, and there are five extensive green roofs and three intensive green roofs. The company has received much publicity from the roofs. Planners, architects and other professionals regularly visit the roofs.

In late October, 2003, Linda Velazquez had the pleasure of seeing many of the greenroofs, both extensive and intensive, on the expansive Canary Wharf Estate with Livingroofs.org founder Dusty Gedge, who had her up and down greenroofs all day. The roofs are all inverted, and Dusty Gedge of Livingroofs.org and BlackRedstarts.org and PhD student Gyongyver Kadas are studying three extensive greenroofs with the London Biodiversity Partnership and the Royal Holloway University of London. More greenroof laboratories are planned. Following are details regarding three of the extensive greenroofs:Building FC4/South Colonnade: Sedum mats on fleece;Retail East: Sedum mats on 2cm gravel;DS6: Sedum mats on 75cm extensive crushed brick soilA study of temperature effects of the greenroof on the Barclays Capital Building Services roof of FC4/30 South Colonnade (the lessee) – was conducted in September 2003 by manager Burnett Parsons, who reports on the following: 09/04/2003: “Since the installation of the ‘green roof’ at FC-4 20 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, there has been a noticeable difference in the environment on the mechanical level, situated directly below the ‘green roof.’ The temperature has noticeably stabilized throughout the year as follows.1. During the summer months the temperature remains at a comfortable level. Before the ‘green roof,’ mechanical level ventilation fans often ran to keep the area cool. The ventilation system is now not required to operate.2. Winter months required the heating of the mechanical level. Heating is now not required. I would estimate the saving in electricity consumption would be approximately 25,920 Kw per year.”