Brick Lane, East London
A stroll around the rapidly regenerating boho haunt
(Photos/words © urban75, 15th Sept, 2007)

Formerly Whitechapel Lane, the street takes its name the brick and tile works that spring up in the 15th century.

The character of the area was shaped by successive waves of immigration, begining with the Huguenot refugees in the 17th century, followed by Irish weavers, Ashkenazi Jews and, in the last century, Bangladeshis.

For several centuries, the area was synonymous with the weaving, tailoring and the clothing industry.

A notable landmark on Brick Lane is the Truman Black Eagle Brewery, with records first noting a brewer called Joseph Truman in 1683.

In the 20th century, Brick Lane became hugely popular for its cheap curry houses, after Bangladesh immigrants (mainly the Greater Sylhet region) moved into the area.

More recently, the East End street has become a popular focus for art and fashion students, night clubs and live gigs, with the inevitable gentrification following fast in their wake.






Old and new. In the background is Lord Foster's superb 'Erotic Gherkin' skyscraper.


Closed pub.











Inside the 'Rootmaster' restaurant, serving delicious organic food from an old Routemaster bus.













The abandoned Shoreditch tube station building, with the black flags from the June 2006 closure still draped around the eaves. See feature here: Shoreditch tube station




Construction work by the station site.






















The best bagels in town!






'Trendy' estate ageents. Bleuurgh.





Old 'Private' porn shop.


Street scenes.

« London features