Since the 1990s, Shoreditch has reinvented itself into a flourishing creative hub. Abandoned warehouses and rusting factories that once blotted east London’s skyline have been resuscitated into stylish studios and a host of creative hubs for nurturing new artists.
Shuffling through the streets, all manner of creative gems leap out at you from amid bustling cafés and rustic warehouse conversion. It could be a boutique selling vintage Yves Saint Laurent clothes and handbags or a funky food stall offering multi-coloured bagels.
The artistic roots of Shoreditch run deep. From the Curtain theatre, which showcased Shakespeare’s plays until the 17th century right up to the recently opened Studio Leigh, run by photographer Mario Testino’s former art director, the district is bursting at the seams.
Shoreditch has always had a rare ability to ignore the usual dividing lines that fence communities off on account of wealth, religion or whether they still wear Dr. Martens bought in the 1970s. The area thrived off of mass immigration of Jewish families in the 19th century and Indian tradesmen in 1950s and that’s why it’s still known for its bagel shops, curry restaurants and drapery warehouses.
Soaking with the rich history of the past the food scene has grown immensely over the years. Shoreditch can now boast having some of the best eats in London with tiny gastronomic eateries such as Pidgen serving a no frills tasting menu to Mark Hix’s newest venture Tramshed.
Artisan bakers now sit alongside the bevvy of coffee shops that permeate every street corner in the western world. We are no longer clambering to our nearest Starbucks; today we sip our Fairtrade, organic flat whites at the Shoreditch Grind. Globalisation is fading from circulation and hand crafted, local commodities are on the rise. People are living in new ways, all one needs to do is tap their phone to order an Uber or dinner from their favourite restaurant with Deliveroo.
At Essential Living, we think renting should be this easy. Our business is modelled on what’s available in the US, where renters have the choice to live in apartments that are professionally managed and come with shared spaces that all residents can enjoy.
Our second development to open, Dressage Court in Bethnal Green, has a Boxpark-style roof terrace where you can drink, relax or even grow your own veg. Inside there’s a games room and lounge, but if you’re feeling more serious there’s a quiet area where you can work or study.
Everything – that’s electricity, gas, water, WiFi and furniture if you want it too – is ready to go from when you move in, and is all covered in your monthly rental payment. Our short, simple-to-read contracts are just nine pages long and jargon-free, while all our bedrooms are equal-sized, making them perfect for sharers. Being right in between the two Bethnal Green stations means you’ll never have to worry about transport either.
Only 20 years ago few would have chosen to live in Shoreditch. Today not many would say they choose to rent. Tomorrow they will be.
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Essential Living is a London property developer with stunning apartments to rent across Bethnal Green, Islington, Maidenhead, Greenwich and more.