What began as open fields is now the vibrant De Beauvoir Town. This London neighborhood boasts a rich history and unique character. Today, we will uncover some of its secrets.
De Beauvoir Town sits in the London Borough of Hackney. It is just a couple miles north of the City of London. The area’s development began in the mid-19th century. Developer William Rhodes secured a lease from Peter de Beauvoir in 1821. He planned a new town to attract prosperous residents.
Rhodes’ vision included wide streets in a grid pattern. Four squares would sit on diagonal streets. These would intersect at an octagon. However, Rhodes obtained his lease unfairly. Work stopped in 1823 and a court case ensued. The land reverted to the de Beauvoir family in 1834 after a 20-year legal battle.
The delay caused Rhodes’ clients to move to the West End. The scheme was scaled down. Only one square was built: De Beauvoir Square. The diagonal streets partly survived as Enfield Road, Stamford Road, and Ardleigh Road. By the 1840s, the newly emerging middle classes occupied the estate. It was almost wholly residential. Factories were around Kingsland Basin and the southwest corner.
The special character of De Beauvoir Town has been retained. It is recognized by the De Beauvoir and Kingsland Road Conservation Areas. These areas include many listed and notable buildings. Its boundaries are defined by geometric streets and the Regent’s Canal. Kingsland Road is to the east. The Regents Canal is to the south. Southgate Road sits to the west. Balls Pond Road marks the northern border.
In 1907, an important event took place in De Beauvoir Town. The Fifth Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party met here. It was held at the Brotherhood Church on Southgate Road. Attendees included Lenin, Stalin, Maxim Gorky, Rosa Luxemburg, and Leon Trotsky. They debated strategy for a communist revolution in Russia. The congress strengthened Lenin’s Bolsheviks.
In 1937, the southeast corner was rezoned for industrial use due to its access to Kingsland Basin. This area lies between Downham Road and Hertford Road. In the early 1960s, the northern part of De Beauvoir Town was rebuilt. It became the Kingsgate estate. In the late 1960s, a larger area west of the canal basin was redeveloped. Many small factories were replaced by the De Beauvoir Estate.
In 1968, the De Beauvoir Association was formed. It fought Hackney Council’s plans to demolish the area. The association aimed to stop new council estates from being built. In 1969, the rest of the square became a conservation area. This area included Englefield Road, Northchurch Road, Southgate Road, Hertford Road, and Stamford Road. The conservation area was later extended to cover most of De Beauvoir Town.
In the 1970s, the Greater London Council installed traffic-calming measures. These measures aimed to reduce traffic. They were designed by Graham Parsey. He lived in the area and chaired the De Beauvoir Association.
De Beauvoir Town has appeared in several films and music videos. Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” video was filmed here. Parts of “28 Weeks Later” and “The Gentlemen” were also filmed in De Beauvoir Town. Tinie Tempah’s album “Youth” shows a scene on the De Beauvoir Estate.
De Beauvoir Town was also home to William Lyttle. He was known as the Mole Man of Hackney. Lyttle dug a series of tunnels under his property. The tunnels caused an 8-foot hole to appear in the pavement in 2001. In 2006, the council found a network of tunnels spreading 20 meters in every direction. The house was sold at auction in 2012 and renovated by 2020.
That is the story of De Beauvoir Town. It is a place where history, community, and culture intertwine. Take a stroll around. Soak in the atmosphere. Imagine the people who have walked these streets before us.