Type Hotel Town or city London Construction started 1976 | Address 265 Rotherhithe Street Country United Kingdom Owner Hilton Worldwide | |
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Columbia Wharf (now DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Docklands Riverside) was the first set of buildings in a British port designed for grain storage. It was built by James Edmeston, the Victorian hymnwriter, on the banks of the River Thames in Rotherhithe in 1864. It is located to the south of Cuckold's Point and the north of Nelson Dock Pier.
These buildings were originally designed for grain storage: Columbia Wharf "was the first grain silo in a British Port" ; then it was adapted for use with general cargo and was eventually, right up until 1976, used for "storing tea, coffee, cocoa and dried fruits" (Craig et al. 162). The façade remains, but it has now been redeveloped for housing and as part of the Hilton Hotel.
In 1914 the building was adaptated for more general use, such as storage of tea, coffee, cocoa and dried fruits.
Modern conversion
It was in use up until 1976. It has since been turned into housing with part being incorporated into the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Docklands Riverside.The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel incorporates Columbia Wharf, the important Nelson Dock where numerous fine ships were built, and Bilbe's patent slip, as well as the engine house.