Shoreditch Area and Property Guide

Shoreditch property details

Shoreditch is popular with younger people (with the majority of the population being under 40. There are also several student, multi-person and single households here. This is reflected in the property styles, with 80% of the homes being apartments, rather than houses.

Though the market is dominated by flats, there are still plenty of different styles to choose from. Shoreditch is celebrated for its characterful warehouse conversions and loft spaces; many of which still have original industrial interiors. Developers have also been busy in the area, which means there are some impressive modern apartments on offer too.

For those that prefer houses to flats, there are some stunning terraced homes on the market; many of which have retained their original features, and which offer generous living space inside.

Shoreditch property styles

Shoreditch’s most desirable properties are undoubtedly its industrial conversions. Once factories or warehouses, many of the buildings have been sub-divided into luxury apartments; with most capitalising on their spectacular original features.

In these flats, you can expect to see rustic floorboards, exposed metal beams, plus huge, open-plan living spaces. Although they’re dotted around the entire area, the most sought-after tend to be near the bustling areas of Brick Lane or Red Market, for example. The modern developments are also popular, with most capitalising on the expansive views of the city, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies. Again, you can expect mostly open-plan layouts, which are great for socialising with friends. A good example of one such development is Eagle Point, which is just a short distance from Old Street Station. Apartments at Eagle Point have large balconies to take in the phenomenal vistas, and residents can enjoy use of a swimming pool and 24-hour concierge.

For family homes, the best place to look is around Victoria Park, which has a good range of 1920s detached and semi-detached homes. Many of these also come with outdoor space, which is a major draw for people with children.

Property prices

Shoreditch is one of the capital’s most sought-after areas, so understandably, prices can be high. However, it’s still possible to find a stylish one-bedroomed apartment for around £400,000, or slightly higher for a period property. If you’re working to a budget, try a location like Bethnal Green or Stepney Green. At the other end of the scale, the luxury warehouse conversions and new-build flats can command several million. Given that Shoreditch has a reputation for offering some of the coolest, edgiest apartments outside New York City, this isn’t surprising. Good-sized family homes are also likely to be in the millions, especially if they come with a garden and a driveway. If you’re searching for one of these, the area around Victoria Park is definitely the location to explore.

Regeneration in Shoreditch

After the Second World War, Shoreditch was in a state of decline. The factory-owners had left their warehouses empty, and the WW2 Blitz destroyed many of the houses. As such, crime was rife, not to mention poverty.

Thankfully, the situation started to change in the 1990s. Developers began to notice the huge potential offered by the disused factories, and set about converting them. Shoreditch slowly started to develop a new personality, as the home of forward-thinking, creative types. The local council were swift to respond to this change. In 2002, Transport for London overhauled the road system, reducing congestion considerably. A new tube station was created (Shoreditch High Street), and several of the old buildings were demolished, to make way for expansive residential tower blocks.

Regeneration has been almost continuous since then. Many landmark developments have been constructed in Shoreditch, like Principal Place and Principal Tower. The Sugar House is another key example, with stunning modern apartments, offering residents outdoor room, secure underground parking and more. It seems likely that there are more developments scheduled for the future. That’s what makes the area such a good place to invest in, as property prices will probably keep on rising.

Life in Shoreditch

Shoreditch is one of the East End’s liveliest areas, which is part of the reason so many people want to settle there. As you might expect, it has a wealth of pubs, bars and restaurants, plus some excellent nightclubs. For a good evening out, Curtain Road and Hoxton are the places to go, and if you’re looking for a world-famous curry, you’ll need to head to Brick Lane. The markets are also legendary in Shoreditch. Brick Lane, Columbia Road and Old Spitalfields all host regular markets, selling exotic food, knick-knacks, and some of the best vintage clothes in the city.

Although the world’s first playhouse is no longer operational, Shoreditch caters well for culture-fans, with some excellent cinemas, like Electric, Rich Mix (which is also an arts venue), and Rio. It’s a popular location with students, as the London Metropolitan University, Coventry University London campus and GCU London are all close by. The London College of Fashion and University of Law are also within easy reach.

Most people who live in the area tend to work there too. However, there are plenty of tube stations (such as Hoxton, Shoreditch High Street, Haggerston, Old Street and Liverpool Street), which take travellers across London and beyond.

Other interesting facts

• Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was performed for the first time ever in Shoreditch.
• Guy Fawkes’ gunpowder plot was exposed in Hoxton Street.
• Some residents have protested the towering apartment blocks, saying that they work against the personality of the area. Despite this, the new flats are in high demand.
• Most historians believe that Shoreditch’s name comes from the Old English word scoradic. This translates as the ‘ditch of a shore’, though no-one is quite sure where the shore in question actually is!