“It is in the centre of London and it is hugger-mugger in an old-fashioned, unplanned way. It is not an inner suburb like St John’s Wood … Here is a mixture: of workplaces and living places, institutional places, art places, entertainment places, and of some mad people who live in the middle of it all.”
This is an excerpt from an article in the London Evening Standard written by actor, comedian and president of Civic Voice Griff Rhys Jones and the place he is talking about is Fitzrovia in central London.
Located in W1, Fitzrovia has been the subject of much attention recently due to proposals to turn it into a Business Improvement District.
It is such proposals that Mr Rhys Jones is against and he cited a number of reasons why increasing the number of businesses in the area would be detrimental to its overall appeal.
As the actor noted in his piece in the Evening Standard, Fitzrovia is unique as far as central London is concerned.
Development in the area began in the 18th century, however, unlike neighbouring districts such as Bloomsbury and Marylebone, most of the land was owned by minor landowners who developed it themselves.
The result is a very different layout and building pattern and this formed the basis of what has become a very stylish and unique part of the capital.
Lining the irregular streets are numerous smaller houses, interspersed with more modern constructions. This is in stark contrast to the uniformed streets and larger houses found in Marylebone and similar districts.
You will also find several flats available to rent and buy in the area, some of which are found in modern apartment complexes and others in converted houses.
Given its location, Fitzrovia offers you an abundance of transport links, including underground stations in Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street, Euston, Warren Street and Great Portland Street.
In addition, there are extensive bus links, so you can get to all four corners of the capital relatively easily.
Fitzrovia is also home to some of London’s most iconic attractions, including the British Museum and Hamiltons Gallery, as well as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
According to Mr Rhys Jones, Fitzrovia ia home to the most “eclectic selection of small shops in London”, highlighting the presence of a “flute shop, a sculpture supply shop, a play bookshop, a toy museum [and] a disco supply shop.”
As well as these independent retailers, you can find plenty of familiar high street brands in Oxford Street’s Plaza Shopping Centre, so whatever you need, you should be able to find it in the area.
Fitzrovia also boasts numerous restaurants, many of which are held in high regard by those in the know, including Bam-Bou, Roka and Pun Kums.
Mr Rhys Jones and others with an interest in preserving Fitzrovia’s unique qualities and appeal are outraged at plans to bring more businesses to the area.
They say that the ecosystem works exactly as it is and that the delicate balance needs to be preserved.
In short, Fitzrovia offers you a central London living experience like no other, so if you want the style, convenience and vibrancy of central London without the uniformity that characterises other parts of the capital, Fitzrovia could be the place for you.
