Paddington Basin (4)
More images from 2004 onwards
View of the suspension bridge between Harrow Road and Sheldon
Square. Look closely and you'll see a heart shape!
The business barge 'Brunel' in 2004. To date this remains the only
unoccupied business barge. Perhaps its seen as being too
pretentious to be taken seriously? Do some see Merchant Square and its boats as being a bit of a Tobacco Dock clone?
The basin from Edgware Road in 2004. Further construction that
began in 2007 will see an island cafe and extra moorings built.
Also Building 'E' will be constructed, which replaces Richard
Roger's abortive Grand Union buildings. This will be completed by
November 2009
One of several water based activities organised by the Paddington
Waterside management to encourage people to enjoy the basin. This
is the Dragon Boat race on 28 June 2007
During 2006 the Paddington Waterside management decided on a new
name for their bit of the basin complex. This was prompted when
Westminster Council rejected the original plans for Richard Roger's
Grand Union Building complex. The name Merchant Square was chosen.
It has taken a long time to get this name into use, yet people
still persit in calling it Paddington basin! In the autumn of 2007
hoardings were put up annoucing it as Merchant Square, in an effort
to get people to use that name. Its not so well known but the basin
area actually consists of three separate areas. These are Merchant
Square, Paddington Walk (thats by the Edgware Road end and the bit
off the Harrow Road) and Paddington Central (on the old goods yard
site , consisting of Sheldon Square and the yet to be built Phase
two)
Merchant Square's not the destination on these buses! Route 15 was
extended from Paddington station to a new terminus next to Marks
& Spencers at Paddington Basin in November 2007, and the bus
destination blinds say it all! Anyone remember the 15 when it used
to run to Ladbroke Grove (Eagle) M-Sats and East Acton (Goldsmith
Arms) on Sundays? Note the Paddington Walk flats behind
A midnight photo of the basin adjacent to The Point, December
2007taken from Paddington bridge. This was the first year in which
winter moorings were allowed in the basin
A March 2008 view of Paddington station with First Great western
HST's on various traffic duties. The middle platforms are wired for
Heathrow Express services. To the left side of the station The
Point and part of the Paddington (glass/steel) bridge can be seen.
The close proximity in which basin and station lie is pretty
obvious in this picture
Foundations being dug behind the basin for the new development,
April 2008. The Grand Union Building that was to be built here in the above
loactionwas designed by Richard Rogers. It was to have one of the
higest atriums in Europe and a observation platform/restaurant
offering spectacular views. The plans were rejected by the City of
Westmsinster because of its height and size. More on the Grand
Union building concept
The iconic glass fronted Head Offices for Marks & Spencers
Marks & Spencers is located in what is known as Waterside
House. It was designed by Richard Rogers. It has some similarities
to Roger's other building, Lloyds, in the City. Unlike Lloyds which
was prominent in the use of steel, Waterside House utitlises glass
and more modern lighter materials
A view of the small basin inlet by Marks & Spencers HQ which is
accessed by opening the Rolling bridge
Brunel and The Point
The Paddington Walk development seen from the canal, flanked by
Marks & Spencers and The Point
The Point with Cowford at its permanent mooring. Paddington bridge
can also be seen, as well as the old wharf buildings on the left.
These are pencilled for demolition, and a new shopping concourse is
planned, forming a visual connection between the station and the
basin area. Designed by Terry Farrell & partners, The Point is a wedge
shaped curved structure, with some slight reminisces of the
Gridiron Building in New York. It has a spectacular atrium in the
centre
The Point. Not quite the Gridiron but still visually effective
The old wharf buildings, with a boat on its winter mooring.Next page -
The Bridges and the
Plug!
London Canals
