West End

Soho Square

The dark seedy underbelly of the West End, Soho, essentially centres around its decidedly unusual square. Soho, over the ages, has certainly represented a chameleon. From a social and financial point of view it has veered from one way to the other.

In the 17th and 18th century the area around Soho Square was populated by dignitaries from high society. Prominent politicians and statesmen, resplendent dukes and duchesses, all lorded it over this area with their high and mighty airs and graces. The titled people around the square gradually dispersed though and were taken over by the hoi poloi, the tradesmen and working people. Around this time the area took on an ever more sinister hue. Crime, murder, prostitution, and even drugs squirmed their way into proceedings and cast a dark shadow over the neighbourhood.

Gradually, once that had calmed down to a certain extent, the properties were converted to business use. Since then, Soho has lived a double life, alternating strip bars, peepshows, and dens of depravity with colourful markets, memorabilia/clothes shops and restaurants. There are several media companies around here, and several film and television production companies and archives. The industrial side of film is very prominent here. The many winding roads and alleys that sidle off Soho Square show off the Soho's multiple personalities.The square, like the area surrounding it, is a perverse oddity of disparate elements. It is distinctly quirky, endearing, and extremely relaxing. A regal, imposing statue of Charles II on the path is quite attractive but rather unusual in comparison to the gardener's shed, which is located right in the middle of the square. Built in 1875-76, this tiny enigmatic wooden building with a pointy roof, resembles the type of house you would expect to find Rumpelstiltzkin in. The greenery in the square is quite unique as well. The trees look fairly tropical and the flowers are very attractive to the eye. Amongst the sleaziness and hubbub of Soho, the square is a quite remarkable contrast. It is intensely tranquil and harmonious and even makes you think about the countryside outside London.

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