The area of east London (namely Shoreditch/Hoxton/Hackney) is changing at a rapid pace as gentrification takes over. When this happens, many independent shops cannot compete and close down. Older buildings are torn down to make way for high-rise flats and hotels. Empty lots where cars could park and where walls could be made beautiful by spray paint are built on. The area is cleaned, removing all walls that once held beautiful artwork.
Hackney Road and Columbia Road
The area can lose its culture and atmosphere and its sense of community. I've seen this slowly start to happen in Shoreditch as more shops are replaced with chain shops, buildings are torn down in favour of hotels and flats, and open land for parking is turned into flats and shops. Independent shops disappear and coffee shops and sandwich shops move in.
Below are a series of photographs that I have taken around Shoreditch, Hoxton, and Hackney in the last few years. Soon, these may be our only memories of this time in London.
The Shard from Shoreditch
Under the rail bridge, Hoxton (top of Shoreditch High Street)
Tiled facade on Shoreditch High Street
Tiled facade on Shoreditch High Street
Housing estate at the top of Brick Lane and close to Columbia RoadÂ
Tiled facade on Shoreditch High Street
The Royal Oak - Columbia Road, sells Truman beer
The Crown - sells Truman beer
John Tann's Reliance Locks and Fire and Burglar-proof safes, iron doors, rooms, warehouse... off Hackney Road
Redchurch Street
Old warehouses on south part of Kingsland Road
Hackney Road buildings - glass and frame shop and ghost sign
Hackney Road buildings - radiator covers, fire surround, stairs and spindles
Hackney Road buildings, looking south
St. Leonard
Salvation Army ghosts sign - near Old Street
Courtyard in warehouses, near Curtain Road
Take as many memories as you can.
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