Abstract: As one of the active factors to promote urban vitality and cultural character,industrial heritage in urban waterfront areas plays an important role in urban preservation and urban regeneration.This article made a brief introduction on a rehabilitation project of Deal Pier in the UK.From the perspectives of adaptive reuse of the historic building and design concepts of sustainability and ecology,it was analyzed potentials and methods to rehabilitate industrial heritage in urban waterfront areas during the urban regeneration process,with the intention to reach the holistic sustainability for urban economics,society and culture.It also provided scientific ideas and good references for further urban regeneration and reuse of industrial heritage in waterfront areas in China.