As a thriving business and financial district alongside London’s historic docklands, Canary Wharf has been a centre of trade and commerce since the 19th century. The gleaming skyscrapers, many of which house the swanky offices of European and American corporations, employ over 120,000 people, creating a massive housing demand in the E14 and neighbouring postcodes.
Today, the region around the Isle of Dogs, where Canary Wharf is situated, along with the nearby areas of Poplar, Canning Town, and Blackwall, is highly sought after among working professionals seeking to buy or rent close to their workplace. But it’s not only the ease of commuting to work that is driving property sales and rentals. This portion of East London has become one of the liveliest retail, leisure, and entertainment areas in the capital.
Why do buy-to-let investors like Canary Wharf?
The transformation of a once-disused dockland into a lively riverfront neighbourhood through widespread regeneration and infrastructure upgrades has attracted investment from around the world. As a Zone 2 location, residents and visitors have numerous transportation options available, including rail, road, and riverboat services, to travel across the City with ease. There are beautiful and well-maintained town squares and parks, including Cabot Square, Jubilee Park, and the Crossrail Place Roof Garden. It also features several interconnected malls, making the area more appealing to renters, which drives up demand.
How much rental income can landlords expect in Canary Wharf?
The average monthly rent in Tower Hamlets was £2,364 in June 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics. However, rentals in Canary Wharf and the E14 postcode are higher than those in the Borough. Investropa’s most recent research indicates that buy-to-let investors in Canary Wharf and its surrounding districts are achieving average yields of around 5%. Rents in the area are relatively close to mortgage rates, which prompts many people to consider buying a home.
Which developments in Canary Wharf are most desirable?
While we have numerous property options to buy and rent in Canary Wharf, here are some of the top new development schemes in the area that have caught the interest of investors.
Aspen at Consort Place is one of London’s tallest residential buildings. It features opulent modern apartments with beautiful sky lounges and other on-site amenities, perfect for a luxurious lifestyle. It’s easy to get to central London and the City from here because the Tube, Elizabeth Line and DLR are all close by.
South Quay Plaza is a Berkeley development, a towering residential success comprising 68 floors located next to South Dock. Its stylish flats and penthouses provide excellent views of the river. Premium lifestyle facilities and easy access to public transport make for high rental demand and steady growth potential for investors.
Another Berkeley development, located along the banks of the River Lea, is Poplar Riverside, offering a collection of modern studios to three-bedroom apartments. Set within a 2.5-acre landscaped park, with world-class on-site amenities, investors can expect rental yields of up to 5.7% at this lucrative housing scheme.
Goodluck Hope in Canning Town offers a collection of stylish lofted apartments and townhouses with sweeping views of the adjacent River Lea and Bow Creek. Doorstep DLR and riverboat connectivity, along with a range of on-site amenities and nearby ecology parks, make this development attractive to renters and a hotspot for investors.
The Crossrail effect and growing rental demand
While Canary Wharf is already popular for providing excellent transport links with multiple Tube stations along the Jubilee Line and Docklands Light Railway services, the introduction of the Elizabeth Line has significantly reduced commute times. Prestigious universities in central London, business districts within the City and the cultural delights of the West End are now just a few minutes away. Heathrow Airport is also just a little over 40 minutes away.
Extensive regeneration has attracted significant capital from overseas investors and top developers, introducing state-of-the-art housing schemes tailored to diverse lifestyles. In addition to the developments mentioned above, several other new projects, such as Landmark Pinnacle, Calico Wharf, No. 8 Harbord Square, and Orchard Wharf, among others, offer high-rise living and dockland views. These contemporary developments have fuelled both rental demand and property investment.
How do yields in Canary Wharf compare to other London zones?
According to data compiled from the findings of all our 21 branches across London, Canary Wharf reported the second highest average rental yield at 5.9%, making it one of the most profitable areas to invest in. An upscale lifestyle supported by unmatched transport and leisure opportunities, combined with riverfront views, makes Canary Wharf a strategic location primed for investment and growth.
Benham and Reeves has a dedicated sales and lettings team in Canary Wharf to help homebuyers, investors, landlords and tenants with all their property needs. You can contact us and get in touch with our property experts to know more about the benefits of investing in this dynamic East London neighbourhood.
Philip has been working within the property industry for 15 plus years with experience gained across several different divisions of property sales. In his role as Manager of New Homes and Residential Development, Philip specialises in driving business for off-plan sales and new homes to achieve the investment goals of many domestic and international clients. - Read full profile