Gower Street, Central London

 

Despite the steady stream of traffic, Gower Street feels like a throwback to London's heyday.  The west side of the street is lined by a lengthy row of grade II-listed terraced houses, between Bedford Square and UCL Medical School, built between 1780 to 1820.  Many of the houses retain window detailing, the frontage railings, stucco banding and parapets, chimney stacks and pots. 

The Bloomsbury Conservation Area report notes that whereas the street was originally entirely residential, it now houses University College London halls of residence, hotels and offices. While a few townhouses have been converted to flats,  some have been returned to single family dwellings.