The estate was developed between 1946 and 1962 to a design by the architects Powell and Moya, replacing Victorian terraced houses extensively damaged during the Blitz.

Comprising 1,600 homes in 32 blocks, the estate is notable as the only housing project completed under the ambitious Abercrombie Plan to redevelop the capital on more "efficient" lines.

A pioneering example of mixed development, it acted as a model for many subsequent public housing projects, although few matched its size and even fewer achieved its architectural distinction or social diversity.

After the fire at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington killed 72 people, management was brought directly under Westminster City Council.

The estate houses notable LGBTQ+ in Islam activist Omar Hegazi, who ran for council as a Liberal Democrat.