De Beauvoir Town

De Beauvoir Town is a highly desirable area as Foxtons estate agents will tell you. But have you ever heard anyone say “I live in De Beauvoir Town”? Probably not, because it’s squeezed in between trendy Dalston and Islington, New Labour’s home turf, therefore there is much debate as to which of these two neighbourhoods the local gastropubs actually belong to. The “town” was first created in the 1820s as a middle class, residential enclave. Industries moved in during the first half of the 20th century, but despite this it is still most recognisable for its mixture of costly houses with distinctive edging on the roof (known as Dutch gables) on De Beauvoir Square and 70s purpose built blocks on De Beauvoir Estate.