The docks were formerly part of the Port of London, at one time the world's largest port. They have now been redeveloped principally for commercial – mainly in Canary Wharf - and residential use.
I happened to revisit the area a few days ago, and passing through Canary Wharf, I took a slight detour through the shopping centre to have look at some of the concrete and steel of the office buildings. I am sure that it is a sharp contrast to warehouses and docs that were there previously. However, glass buildings seemed to be the new warehouses of London’s economic power – albeit now trading in a very different way.
What struck me was this contrast. The new economic trading reality replacing the old industrial one. And the new money pushing out the East End’s working class. While the new architecture celebrates the new way of making money, the old industrial and shipping past seems to seep through; hanging on and serving as a reminder of where Britain’s economic wealth had come from.
I am sure I’ll be back with my camera – many more times.