The History of London’s Housing Stock

Discover how London’s housing has evolved throughout the decades with our interactive tool

London has grown exponentially as it’s evolved into the megacity we know today. The 32 boroughs that make up this thriving metropolis are unique in their own right and from a historical perspective, each one has a notable and unique story. From the luxurious pre-1900 houses and garden squares in Knightsbridge, to the housing expansion and regeneration around Canary Wharf in recent years, London’s homes are as diverse as its inhabitants.

With this in mind, Knight Frank is pleased to launch a new, interactive report aimed at sharing unique insight into the Capital’s housing history for both residents and visitors alike. Our interactive tool uses housing data from the past 120 years, to visualise 14 unique stories connected to some of the Capital’s most notable areas. These boroughs showcase the dramatic changes in that area, while also highlighting their significance to the overall landscape of London’s housing.

To begin, click on an area or select a borough from the drop-down list.

Understand and compare complex data with our helpful infographics and read the full narrative to learn all about each London borough.

city of london

Barking & Dagenham Brent Islington Camden Tower Hamlets Harrow City of London Westminster Southwark Lambeth Wandsworth Kensington Richmond Upon Thames Hammersmith & Fulham

Housing Stock in the City of London

The area in and around ‘the City’ dates back over 2,000 years and once constituted most of London as the original Roman settlement of Londinium.

city of london

Age of Housing Stock in the

1965-1972
40.61%

city of london
  •  
    Pre 1900
    20.76%
  •  
    1900-1918
    1.07%
  •  
    1919-1929
    0.76%
  •  
    1930-1939
    0.92%
  •  
    1945-1954
    2.14%
  •  
    1955-1964
    4.43%
  •  
    1965-1972
    40.61%
  •  
    1973-1982
    4.27%
  •  
    1983-1992
    1.53%
  •  
    1993-1999
    7.02%
  •  
    2000-2009
    10.23%
  •  
    2010-2014
    5.95%

"Yet despite being London’s historic epicentre, 40% of all its residential housing was built in just seven years."

Pre-World War II and early beginnings

The area in and around ‘the City’ dates back over 2,000 years and once constituted most of London as the original Roman settlement of Londinium. Yet despite being London’s historic epicentre, 40% of all its residential housing was built in just seven years. To discover more information about this residential epicentre, visit our City of London office page to explore the area in more detail.

Largely destroyed in the Great Fire of London, much of the City was rebuilt to match its original medieval design. The area’s population fell rapidly in the 19th century as residents followed London’s expansion outwards in search of work and larger accommodation.

cheapside 1800s

During World War II – and the Blitz raids in particular – the City was ravaged by aerial bombing. Reflecting these socio-economic factors, approximately just 500 residents remained in the City by 1950. Despite this, residential housing is still available in this iconic borough; to see what is currently available, visit Knight Frank’s property listing page.

The subsequent implementation of the borough’s recovery and re-building strategy included a focus on council housing, famously exemplified by the iconic Barbican Estate. This, alongside the Golden Lane and Middlesex Estates, were lauded as models of social housing and urban living and became symbols of post-war recovery and social responsibility.

barbican estate modern

1970s and beyond

The near complete destruction of the City’s historic fabric enabled the construction of modern and larger-scale developments, with a focus on commercial use buildings. This development contributed towards re-establishing the area as London’s financial nucleus.

The 1970s witnessed the construction of tall office buildings including the 47-storey Natwest Tower; the first skyscraper in the UK, and Centre Point – laying the foundations of the City skyline that defines and colours London’s financial district today.

21st Property Development

Iconic buildings such as the Gherkin, the Cheesegrater, 20 Fenchurch Street, the Walkie-Talkie, the Broadgate Tower and the Heron Tower; the tallest in the City, have quite literally shaped London’s skyline and are some of the capital’s most recognisable buildings.

The City’s residential offering also continues to develop at pace. Situated on the riverfront at Tower Bridge, Landmark Place is an example of one of the borough’s new home offerings.

The development will offer 165 one-bed suites, one, two and three-bed apartments and penthouses once complete.

modern city of london

"The Golden Lane and Middlesex Estates, were lauded as models of social housing and urban living and became symbols of post-war recovery and social responsibility."

Click on the links below to explore other boroughs in London

London’s historical housing stock data comes from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and was analysed by Knight Frank