History of Greenwich Peninsula
The Greenwich Peninsula, home to The O₂, has undergone major transformation over the last 2 centuries from a flood-prone marshland to an industrial powerhouse.
It is now a global destination for entertainment and innovation.
Industrial beginnings
Until the 19th century, the North Greenwich area remained largely undeveloped due to frequent flooding.
Industrialisation brought rapid change, with businesses drawn to the site’s riverside location and easy transport access.
By the mid-1800s, the peninsula had become a centre for:
- rope making
- cable manufacturing, including the first transatlantic cable, produced at Enderby’s Wharf
- soap and linoleum production
- gasworks and heavy industry
Enderby’s Wharf, now redeveloped, was once a vital hub for undersea cable production. A legacy continued by Alcatel, which still operates in the area.
Early housing
Some of the peninsula’s earliest residential buildings, such as those in the Riverway area, have been preserved.
These offer a rare glimpse into life on the Greenwich Peninsula in the early 19th century.
Regeneration and the O₂
To mark the year 2000, the Millennium Dome was constructed on the site and served as a centrepiece for national celebrations.
It was later repurposed and relaunched as The O₂, a world-class entertainment venue.
The O₂ also played a key role in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, hosting several events and welcoming visitors from across the world.