Comments on: The Lost Squares Of Stepney

By: Paul Adderley

Paul Adderley — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:59:39 +0000

So terribly sad these beautiful squares were lost. The 1960’s and 70’s were a period when many authorities lost all sense of history and place and all was swept away for ‘improvements’, It’s ironic that many of these improvements are already ripe for demolition.

By: A Pilkington

A Pilkington — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:42:42 +0000

This is such an interesting article. One wonders if, in modern times, these grand squares would have been preserved.
One of my 2x great grandparents, who arrived from Amsterdam in 1851, were living with their 6 children at 1 Neptune Street in 1881.

By: Annie S

Annie S — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:40:27 +0000

Very interesting history!
There is now a nice garden in the area of the old square and a memorial stone was put there by the Swedenborg Society in 2023.
The great old Wiltons Music Hall is also close by, an interesting area to have a look around still.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:21:28 +0000

Am I right in thinking that, like the restored houses in Spitalfields, there was no real, material reason why these houses could not have been restored? What is the financial balance of restoration? The material balance, seen today, is clearly in favour of restoration. Was it really different in the post-war period?

By: Hellen Martin

Hellen Martin — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 07:38:00 +0000

Thank you for sharing these evocative photos and illustrations of the deterioration of these fine buildings. Such a shame that we can’t still admire them today (although, no doubt, they’d be worth ££££!

By: CR

CR — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:10:30 +0000

Seeing Limehouse and Stepney past vs present I now understand the intention behind the need to implement Danish policies!