Spitalfields is a district positioned in the East London borough of Tower Hamlets close to the areas of Finsbury and Whitechapel. The district is centred around Commercial Street and also includes the areas immediately around Tonybee Hall, Christ Church, Commercial Tavern and Brick Lane.
In 2021 the average property in Spitalfields sold for £1,129,464, making the district the most expensive in Tower Hamlets. The area far exceeded the overall average for Tower Hamlets, which was £585,534. It was also considerably more expensive than the most affordable area in Tower Hamlets, which was Bromley By Bow, with its overall average price of £353,861.
The most commonly sold type of property in Spitalfields during 2021 were flats and they fetched an overall average of £656,606. Terraced properties in Spitalfields were responsible for significantly increasing the area's overall average price as they fetched an average sold price of £3,493,750.
Between 2020 and 2021 property prices in Spitalfields increased by 51%. Prices are also 35% higher than the peak in 2019 when the average property sold for £836,319.
What is living in Spitalfields like?
When you think of Spitalfields, the iconic Spitalfields Market is likely one of the first things that will come to mind. This traders' market is open seven days a week and boasts an array of street food stalls, jewellery, art, fashion and more. The area is also home to Brick Lane Market, the Old Spitalfields Market and Petticoat Lane Market. Old Spitalfields Market is known for its charming vibe, Thursday vintage markets and Friday vinyl fairs. Traders at Brick Lane Market offer everything from antiques to fashion, accessories, and trinkets. Finally, Petticoat Lane Market specialises in clothing and fashion and operates across two streets in Spitalfields.
Spitalfields also has a strong cultural scene. Folgate Street is home to Dennis Severs' House which is a Grade II listed property that serves as what is called a 'still life drama' showcasing what life would have been like for the local silk weavers of the past. Artillery Lane houses Raven Row which is a non-profit art centre, and Whitechapel Art Gallery sits at the very end of Brick Lane.
Many City workers have chosen to move into the area as it occupies a central location while offering more space and lower prices than in the likes of Canary Wharf. Young professionals enjoy easy access to an array of restaurants, bars and cafés, alongside independent retailers with unique offerings, galleries and cinemas.
Living in Spitalfields pros and cons
Pro: Spitalfields has a diverse and vibrant culture
The area became home to the Bangladeshi community in the late 20th century, making the area around Brick Lane famous as London's curry capital. By the early 1980s more than 50% of households in the area were of minority ethnic origin. Today the sense of community in the area is incredibly strong, bright and welcoming.
Con: Spitalfields is within the ULEZ zone
The ULEZ zone has been put in place to improve air quality across London and the whole of the Spitalfields area is within this zone. Additionally, part of the district is located within the Congestion Zone, which may be a disadvantage for drivers. This has however had a positive impact on air pollution, with levels sitting below recommendations set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on at least half the days each month.
Pro: Spitalfields can offer a wide selection of property
From beautiful 17th century terraced properties that line the likes of Folgate Street and Fournier Street to warehouse conversions around Brick Lane, property in the area is charmingly diverse and available at a range of price points.
Con: Spitalfields has no direct London Underground connectivity
In the past Spitalfields had stations on the Great Eastern Main Line and the tube, however they closed in 1916 and 2006 respectively. Today the area doesn't have its own station however it is within reach of Aldgate East, Shoreditch High Street and Liverpool Street stations. Between them these stations offer access to the Hammersmith & City, District, Circle and Central lines.
Is Spitalfields a safe place to live?
In the Spitalfields and Banglatown area of Tower Hamlets there were 5,522 crimes reported between January 2020 and December 2021. Cases of theft were the most commonly reported crimes, totalling 1,915. Violent crimes were also relatively high, with 1,153 cases reported during the same period. There were also 632 drug offences, 434 public order offences and 392 cases of burglary.
Crime in the area peaked during September and October 2020 when there were 287 and 286 crimes recorded respectively. Crime then fell to 151 cases in February 2021 before increasing once again to 263 cases. Between November 2021 and December 2021 reports in the area fell from 235 to 219.
Metropolitan Police data shows that in November 2021 there were more than 50 reported cases of miscellaneous theft, 27 reports of theft from a person and 27 cases of harassment recorded in the Spitalfields and Banglatown area. Notably as an area that experiences a lot of tourist footfall, this number of thefts shouldn't be particularly surprising.
The area just east of Elder Gardens is a hot spot for theft whereas the area around Princelet Street is a hot spot for cases of harassment. This data also illustrates that there were 15 crimes per 1,000 residents recorded in November 2021. This is higher than the borough of Tower Hamlets as a whole which recorded 10 crimes per 1,000 residents, and across the wider London area which recorded eight crimes per 1,000 residents.
Which celebrities live in Spitalfields?
The Spitalfields area has strong cultural connections, and has been home to numerous notable artists over the years including Tracey Emin, Gilbert and George and Stuart Brisley. Dan Cruickshank is a TV presenter and expert on architecture who has campaigned for various projects in Spitalfields over the decades and resides in the area to this day.
Actors Keira Knightley and Samantha Morton have both spent time living on Wilkes Street, and the area also has literary connections as the likes of Mary Wollstonecraft and Jeanette Winterson have also resided in the Spitalfields area.
Things to consider when moving to Spitalfields
Spitalfields has somewhat lost its bohemian arty vibe as periods of gentrification have occurred and the area has welcomed increasing numbers of workers who commute to the City of London every day. This isn't too much of a surprise given how easy it is to reach London Bridge, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf, Bank and Old Street.
For families with school age children who are keen to move to the area and benefit from the variety of cultural offerings available, there are numerous schools located within a mile of Spitalfields' heart. These schools include the Thomas Buxton Primary School, Mulberry Academy Shoreditch and Virginia Primary School, all of which have been rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.
Alongside an array of cultural facilities and offerings, the area is also home to Spitalfields City Farm which is open between Tuesday and Sunday. Comprised of beautiful gardens, farmyard and store, the farm hosts a wide program of activities throughout the year designed to help residents in the local area to get closer to nature.
If your budget can stretch to one of the lovely properties Spitalfields has to offer, your investment will pay dividends as the area is overflowing with things to see, do, eat and enjoy.