[Nov.2012] Canary Wharf in London where lots of financilal institutions situated has similar atmosphere to Tokyo.
It does not have the scent of Europe at all.
It is newly developed area, and everywhere is nice and clean and there is no feeling of humanity.
It used be a centre of docks, but the industry died out by 1980.
So the Thatcher government decided to redevelop here and a Canadian company called Olympia&York started building business district.
In 1991, the skyscraper ‘ One Canada Square’ was completed, but unfortunately the timing was bad.
Because of the property recession, Olympia&York went bankrupt.
After that, an international consortioum succeeded its business as Canary Wharf Ltd.
Eventually in late 90s, the economy was in good shape and this area became the second financial hub in London after the City.
I went up to the top of One Canada Square once for work.
It was the time only a few tenants were in.
Now overwhelmed by those big building with numerous windows, I nearly got lost there.
