Shoreditch is a district in the southernmost part of the North East London borough of Hackney. Boasting a creative reputation alongside its neighbour Hoxton, Shoreditch has played a key role in London's entertainment scene since Elizabethan times in the 16th century.
The average sold price in Shoreditch in 2021 was £680,399. This average makes the area more expensive than Trowbridge Estate, where the average property fetched £513,295, but more affordable than De Beauvoir Town, where the overall average was £819,690.
Most of the properties sold in Shoreditch throughout 2021 were flats, which fetched £598,696 on average. Shoreditch also saw a selection of terraced properties being sold, and as they sold for an average price of £1,579,134 they increased the district's overall average somewhat.
Notably, sold prices in the district fell by 13% from 2020 and by 18% since 2019, which recorded an overall average price of £829,930.
What is living in Shoreditch like?
Shoreditch experienced a long period of decline after the Second World War, and until the mid-1990s it was mostly a working-class part of the city. The mid-1990s saw an influx of creative industries flocking to the area, which really kick started the process of gentrification that has transformed Shoreditch considerably in a comparatively short amount of time.
Today the more commercial parts of Shoreditch are situated in the part of the district closest to the City of London, with the rest being more residential in nature. Many of the area's industrial warehouses and buildings have been converted into residential flats and office spaces, and many buildings on Old Street and Curtain Road are occupied by popular night club venues, pubs and restaurants.
There are a number of notable buildings in the Shoreditch area, including the Stag's Head which is a Grade II listed pub, and Principal Tower which is a 50-storey residential block containing almost 300 apartments. The area also benefits from a varied selection of amenities, including ethical and organic grocery stores, independent retailers, high street names, and charming markets. Shoreditch High Street is a real hub, offering an array of shopping, dining and socialising opportunities.
Living in Shoreditch pros and cons
Pro: Shoreditch has excellent transport links
Shoreditch High Street station is on the London Overground which is served by services connecting the district to the likes of West Croydon, New Cross Gate, Dalston Junction, Crystal Palace and Highbury & Islington. Shoreditch residents are also within easy reach of Bethnal Green station, Liverpool Street station and Old Street station.
Numerous bus services serve the station and surrounding areas, including the 8 between Bow Church and Tottenham Court Road station, the 135 between Crossharbour and Old Street Station, and several night buses including the N205 which runs between Leyton and Paddington.
Shoreditch is also served by two Cycleways, the Cycle Superhighway 1 and the Quietway 13. The northern route of the former cycle track offers connectivity to Dalston and Seven Sisters, while Moorgate and Finsbury are served by the southern route. The Quietway 13 primarily follows the quietest streets in Shoreditch and runs from Regent's Canal to Finsbury.
Residents can also enjoy the Regent's Canal towpath, which runs from Limehouse to Angel, and can be used by both cyclists and pedestrians.
Con: ULEZ charges will apply in Shoreditch
Shoreditch skirts the outer edge of the Congestion Charge zone, however it is firmly within the ULEZ zone, which may disappoint drivers reluctant to part with vehicles that don't meet emissions standards.
There are some benefits here though, as like nearby Hoxton the district's air quality is very good, and levels of air pollution rarely exceed WHO recommendations.
Pro: There's always something happening in Shoreditch
Describing a place as having a vibrant atmosphere can sometimes be perceived as somewhat trite, but Shoreditch genuinely is the embodiment of vibrancy. There are too many notable locations to mention, but we must note that it is home to the original Boxpark retail and food park, which is constructed from refitted shipping containers and was launched in 2011. Despite initial plans to close after five years, it continues to draw crowds and houses 27 retail shops and 19 restaurants.
If you've had your fill of delicious street food, why not kick back in Shoreditch Park, which spans 19 acres and offers landscaped lawns, children's play areas and numerous sporting facilities including a beach volleyball court. Alternatively, Brick Lane Market is just 10 minutes away and offers a plethora of opportunities to uncover a hidden gem.
There are also numerous bars, clubs, pubs and cafés offering ideal spaces to meet and socialise with friends. Again, there are too many excellent establishments to namecheck them all but the Book Club, Queen of Hoxton and London Shuffle Club are just a few of the best.
Is Shoreditch a safe place to live?
There were 6,578 crimes reported in the Hoxton East and Shoreditch SNT area between February 2020 and January 2022. Incidents involving theft were the most commonly reported, accounting for 2,862 reports. As a popular district in inner London with high levels of tourism, the fact this figure is so high shouldn't necessarily be too surprising. The area also saw high levels of violent crime, which accounted for 1,347 reports.
Crime continued to rise steadily between February and October 2021, from 102 to 475 reports. The number of reported incidents fell between November and December 2021, but increased slightly between December 2021 and January 2022, when there were 353 reports.
In November 2021 Shoreditch recorded 41 crimes per 1,000 residents, which places it amongst the districts with the highest level of crime. This compared to 11 crimes per 1,000 residents across the borough of Hackney as a whole, and eight crimes per 1,000 residents across London.
Which celebrities live in Shoreditch?
As one of the capital's trendiest and creative areas, it has seen numerous famous faces opt to set up home in its most prestigious streets. Some of Shoreditch's well-known residents include comedian Noel Fielding, celebrity tattoo artist Henry Hate, fashion designer Paul Galvin and comedian Russell Brand. Other famous Shoreditch residents include actor and singer Luke Evans, presenter Miquita Oliver and cookbook author Anissa Helou.
Shoreditch hasn't just been popular amongst well-known people from recent decades, it was also the home of Elizabethan dramatist Christopher Marlowe, Tudor actor James Burbage, and William Sommers who was jester to King Henry VIII.
Things to consider when moving to Shoreditch
There is no denying that contemporary Shoreditch is one of the city's most gentrified areas, however that doesn't automatically mean that it is completely unaffordable, or that it has lost all its creative spirit. In fact, certainly in terms of the latter point, the opposite is true. Young professionals in the creative industries are going to find a lot to love about the area, particularly those who want to be in the centre of somewhere with a distinctly always-on atmosphere.
Shoreditch also draws foodies from far and wide, so if you love big flavours and cuisine from around the world, you won't need to worry about working your way through offerings on all the top food delivery apps too quickly.
Whilst Shoreditch is known for its selection of converted warehouse flats and luxury apartments, it is also home to a variety of more spacious offerings suited to growing families. You may also be surprised to learn that Shoreditch is in the catchment area of numerous schools that have been rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, including Virginia Primary School and Mulberry Academy.