It is situated on the northside of the River Thames, the southside of the Royal Victoria Dock on the opposite quay to ExCeL exhibition centre, and immediately west of London City Airport.

Its transport links have been greatly improved with new roads and Docklands Light Railway lines running along both its north and south side.

[7] By 2007, a £1.5 billion building scheme had been approved to convert the 60 acres (24 ha) site into a mixed use development with residential, commercial, leisure and public areas.

When the termination notice expired and the funds were unable to be raised, the LDA ended their agreements with the SQL, and the scheme officially cancelled.

[7] In March 2012, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced that Chelsfield plc had been chosen by the LDA as preferred developer of the 50-acre site.

[10] In January 2023, replacing the Chelsfield/Imagination proposals, Lendlease and The Guinness Partnership submitted plans for 6,500 homes (50% affordable) on a 20ha site in the Royal Docks, including refurbishment of the Millennium Mills building.