Des Gunewardena is set to open his second restaurant this year.
The co-founder and former CEO of restaurant group D&D London has signed a deal with Canary Wharf Group (CWG) to open a brand-new concept in Canary Wharf in Q4 2024.
The new venture will see 9,500 sq. ft of space transformed into a venue comprising indoor restaurants and bars with private dining spaces, alongside outdoor terraces providing views overlooking Canada Square Park.
It marks the second project for Des Gunewardena since his departure from D&D, after the announcement of a new flagship restaurant, bar and event space at The Royal Exchange made in December last year.
With four out of five new venues set to open in London, Gunewardena hasn’t lost faith in the capital, he told MCA last year.
“The fact is, the office population isn’t back to where it was pre-Covid,” he said. “Having said, a lot of people trading have got back to pre-Covid levels of revenue in London.
“Although people are spending less time coming into London, they aren’t just coming in to sit in the office on their laptops, they are doing lots of meetings over lunches and dinners in restaurants.
“The average spend is better, people are spending more money. Long term I think London is going to continue to be a great place to own restaurants,” he added
Commenting on the latest opening announcement, Gunewardena said, “Canary Wharf is growing and it’s changing. No longer just about work, it is increasingly a part of London people are choosing to live, and to visit for its shops, restaurants, art and culture.
”This is why a number of leading restaurateurs have chosen to open here post-Covid – and why I am very excited about becoming part of the Canary Wharf scene!”
