A surprisingly low-built and green-filled section of central London, this neighbourhood area is a hub for those learning, teaching, and working in performing arts. Featuring St. Lukes Concert Hall, the London Symphony Orchestra building, the American Musical Theatre Academy, the London Dance Academy, as well as many others, this neighbourhood is always busy with the comings and goings of thespians and playwrights. St. Luke’s Gardens and Radnor Park in the centre of this area provides a large and peaceful green space for those who live and work in the area. Lever Street itself is brimming with a variety of cafes and restaurants that are open at all hours of the day. A considerable portion of this neighbourhood is populated by students, as there is a large student housing complex along Bastwick Street, and the City of London student’s union.

Founded in 1904, the London Symphony Orchestra is located in this neighbourhood area and is the oldest in London. Originally formed by a group of players who left the Queen’s Hall Orchestra due to a change in rules, the LSO sought to organise itself co- operatively. It was the reputation and popularity of the LSO that no doubt attracted many of the other performing arts organisations to establish themselves in this area, creating the arts-packed district that this neighbourhood is today. Another important piece of this neighbourhood’s history can be explored through the Ironmonger Row Baths. This building was originally created as a public wash house in between the World Wars in 1931, when public baths were a necessity, as many residents did not have private bathrooms. The culture was based loosely on the Romans’, where a number of communal rooms would allow patrons to sit, chat, and gossip with one another. Featuring a steam room, marble slabs and a Victorian-style Turkish bath, this building served thousands of residents, including the world-famous Highgate Diving Club. The building survived The Blitz during World War Two, and is now a grade-II listed structure. It received extensive renovations in 2010, but retains many of its previous functions, albeit now with the addition of a swimming pool and gymnasium.

This neighbourhood area has attracted many famous composers to the London Symphony Orchestra over its 113-year history. Perhaps most notable among these of recent decades is the American composer, conductor, and pianist, John Williams. With a career extending over six decades, Williams has created some of the most popular and recognisable film scores in cinematic history, such as Jaws, Star Wars, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and the first three Harry Potter films. William’s composition of the ‘Star Wars Theme and Cantina Band’ is the biggest-selling instrumental single of all-time, and the only recording to be awarded Platinum status, with 2 million units sold. Additionally, a notorious fight scene from David Cronenberg’s film, Eastern Promises, was filmed on a custom set based on the Ironmonger Row Baths in this neighbourhood area.

The downside of this neighbourhood area is that housing prices are exceptionally high, even in the accommodation complex that is exclusive to students. Islington Council is working on developing more housing in the area around St. Luke’s in order to cater for increasing demand. The creation of a wider range of dwelling types is planned such as affordable tenures and family-friendly homes to accommodate a mixed community of residents. A number of improvements are also planned for Goswell Road in the western part of this neighbourhood area in order to create a better environment for pedestrians, cyclists and residents. The council hopes that by reducing the dominance of through traffic, public transport will also be greatly improved upon in the area. New developments are also a foot, such as the scheme at Telfer house which will create 38 new homes for residents and families.