The skyline in and around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has undergone relentless change in the two decades since the Games were first awarded to London.

And while some of the more stark, skyward-thrusting towers have divided opinion, the likes of the curvaceous velodrome, adaptable stadium, bright new neighbourhood Chobham Manor and the dramatic landscaping of the Park itself have all scooped up assorted gongs over the years.

Now, as many of the most ambitious buildings within the QEOP have recently been completed and finally opened, they too are lining up, hoping to be similarly celebrated. But how do locals feel about them?

Historic architectural organisation, RIBA, just announced the shortlist for their London 2026 prize, and it includes no less than three nominations within the Park. These are the huge £250m UCL East Marshgate, (designed by Stanton Williams, main pic above), its gleaming neighbour, the halls of residence at UCL One Pool Street (by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands) and just across the water, the angular mid-sized dance auditorium, rehearsal studios and public spaces of Sadler's Wells East (by O'Donnell + Tuomey), both pictured below.

Last year, the thoroughly scrubbed-up Tower Hamlets Town Hall scooped the top prize, with East Bank’s imposing UAL London College of Fashion on the shortlist too, but with a total of 72 contenders in the running for 2026, there’s stiff competition ahead of the award being announced later this year.

So, pre-empting their decision, we thought we’d throw it out there to The Wick readers to see which of the locally nominated buildings they’d be most happy to see awarded the prize.

Vote now, with a quick click or tap on one of the options below, and you’ll have a chance to leave a further comment (if you wish to) once you’ve voted. We’d love to hear opinions of all kinds. Results in next week’s edition…

🥮 Honouring the spirit of Lunar New Year, a vibrant Asian Market will transform Riverside East this weekend Sat 28th Feb & Sun 1st Mar as The Luna Market brings independent traders, live entertainment and special movie screenings alongside the usual food and drinks offers.

🎬 A new film which celebrates eleven trailblazing women from the borough’s past, Women from Hackney's History, has been commissioned by The Hackney Society. It premieres at the Rio Cinema on Sun 8th Mar with a post-screening Q&A with the director.

🍽️ Dinner with Strangers (pictured above) is the new way to enjoy good food, music and meaningful conversations with likeminded people you’ve never met before. It’s happening every Thursday at Fabwick, and coincides with The Spotlight Lounge, which showcases new live solo artists.

🚬 Artist and comedian Amy Binns brings her YUCK On Tour exhibition to Two More Years showing a range of bold, colourful acrylic on canvas, focusing on themes of contrast, irony, and a wry look at popular culture. Until 17th Mar.

♻️ The Renée Eco Material Kilo Sale + Textile Swap is the new monthly eco-friendly material kilo sale at Trowbridge Gardens featuring fabric, leather, and paper samples, plus a free textile swap to keep quality materials in the circular loop. Sat 28th Feb.

🥳 Fun Palaces hosts a free celebration, also at Trowbridge Gardens, to mark the final stop of their national exhibition tour at Creative Voices, Activist Voices Closing Party. The event features food from Thingy Café and highlights community activism of all kinds. Wed 4th Mar

🌍 If you’re into healthier, fairer, and more sustainable urban futures, head to the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability at the University of East London (UEL) for the three-day festival designed to shape Sustainable Cities Festival 2026. The event aims to bring together communities, businesses, educators, policymakers, and innovators through inspiring talks, practical workshops, site tours, and networking, 4th - 6th Mar.

🎤 This Fri 27th Feb, head down into The Cave at Algha Works on Fish Island for a night of live music from locally-based independent artists Tessa Lauren and Charlotte Sell. Tickets are free but book your spot, and drinks will be available from their bar.

🎧 Club Coco comes to Number 90 Hideout this Fri 27th Feb with Coco Maria bringing her signature blend of Afro-Latin soul and rare grooves alongside local ledge DJ Giles Smith and Poly-Ritmo.

🪘 The amazing Drum Works is teaming up with the Thomas Crosbie PACE Foundation for a special night of live music and DJs to raise awareness and funds for young people's mental health this Fri 27the Feb at Grow. With their group Drum Heads playing alongside poet Adisa, jazz experimentalist Morgan Noise and Anglo-Turkish folk-electronica fusion trio Zelt.

🔊 The Lord Napier Star have Bugged Out! DJ/producer Lemmy Ashton taking over the DJ console this Sat 28th Feb as their top draw bookings to accompany the pints, BBQ food and karaoke (if you wish) continue down the local pub.

🎵 Expect a masterclass in salacious booty traxxx, Midwest techno, B-more club pressure, and everything in between and NYC’s DJ Swisha (pictured above) prepares to go big all night long down at Colour Factory this Sat 28th Feb.

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📕 Remember, if you’re not already in possession of a copy, buying The Wick Book is also a direct way for you to support all this, while also getting a stunning 160-page historic record for your coffee table, looking back at 15 years of culture, community and change in the neighbourhood.

🎨 Designed to spark creativity, confidence, and artistic potential in local children, the Flying Fish Art Club is a new after-school creative space at Nefer Tipi’s Studio. Small groups of 3-4 focus on tactile, colourful activities and play, encouraging young artists to think outside the box in a supportive environment, and can even be conducted in Spanish. Limited places available for weekly sessions in the coming weeks.

🚶🏻‍♂️‍➡️Poem from the Bench is a free digital poetry workshop that explores themes of hope and belonging, open to 18–30 year olds on Fri 27th Feb. You’ll get to walk the public art trail The Line, learn holistic digital art making, and create a video poem inspired by Mahtab Hussain's sculpture in the Olympic Park, ‘Please Take a Seat’.

🌉 Local businesses impacted by the protracted closure of Roach Point Bridge can challenge their VOA valuation for potential rates reduction. Business rates payers just must submit their challenge as early as possible and certainly prior to the reopening of the road or bridge. Check your eligibility now.

🏢 The next stage of the Stratford Cross development, formerly known as IQL, aims to create new homes, student accommodation and co-living, a public park and retail facilities. They are running two sessions for locals to meet the Lendlease team and architects, learn more about the emerging proposals, ask questions, and share views on the next phase of development. These are online on Tues 3 Mar Via Zoom or in-person at a drop-in session on Thurs 5 Mar at Carpenters and Docklands Centre. You can also find more information and share your thoughts here.

📦 Book now to attend Enterprise4Good’s How to Become an East Bank Supplier...or Not! Understanding Supply Chains on Tue 17th Mar at Sadler's Wells East's Park Kitchen & Bar. The event aims to break down the procurement process, helping local businesses navigate the dos and don'ts to understand what it takes to get a foot in the door and securing contracts with East Bank partners including the BBC, V&A and UCL.

📈 UCL School of Management and London College of Fashion (UAL)’s free, 6-week intensive growth programme Business Builder Programme is back for 2026. Designed specifically for East London SMEs with 1–4 employees, the course provides a Smart Goal Action Plan, expert mentorship, and a certificate of completion. Apply by Fri 27th Mar.

📋 HereThe CIC is looking for participants for a 5-minute research survey on their wellness habits and feelings about ‘slow living’ to support neurodivergent artists. Take the survey here.

🚀 The Royal College of Art’s InnovationRCA Creative Brands Accelerator is open to applications from alumni. It’s is a call-to-arms for founders working in fashion, ceramics, digital design, and beyond, offering dedicated coaching from retail heavyweights, access to hot-desking in the heart of their incubator and a winter pop-up opportunity to showcase your craft to a global audience. Apply by Mon 23rd Mar.