There is a fickle brand of bohemianism that pervades every student party, every open mic night in Dalston, every New Wave/Post Punk section of Rough Trade. It’s the dressed-down for show kind, the “I work at a craft brewery on the weekends but don’t need the money” kind, the “my job title is Young Creative” kind. These self-proclaimed non-conformists are everywhere, and they tend to move in packs. While East London has been their hub for some time, there is no other area in London more desirable to this neo-haute Bohème than London’s Warehouse District.
The warehouses are mainly in London’s North East Harringay, though the concept has spread to other parts of the capital. They were once home to dozens of businesses: Maynard’s famously launched their Wine Gums factory from one of in 1909. Piano makers Eavestaffs and Brasteds were once resident too. But as the companies slowly vacated – declining trade, or in search of bigger locations – these warehouses were left empty and desperate for a new purpose. Development began in the mid-90s, transforming these empty spaces into homes for artists, “thinkers”, free-spirited individuals and anyone else who sought an unconventional and affordable lifestyle. Like anything that is cheap and recusant, it was only a matter of time before the self-important, self-styled “Young Creatives” caught a whiff of the project and thought “I’d like to try that”.
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