The Boundary Street Estate is often described as the first council estate to be built in London. But in fact, Beachcroft Buildings (pictured below) – being smaller and less ambitious – was completed by the London County Council by September 1894. Boundary Street took ten years, from decision-making to opening ceremony (in March 1900).

Now demolished, the flats were just off the eastern end of Cable Street and housed 198 residents in two- and three-room tenements. The rent was higher than prevailing local private rental costs, at 5s 6d for two rooms and 7s 6d for three; and so – just as happened at Boundary Street – only the comparatively well-off working classes could afford to move in..