The area of Fish Island runs along the river Lea and borders the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the east.

[6] Crown Wharf, the oldest industrial site in the area, was developed from 1853 onwards, with a wallpaper works located there by E.M. Coley and an ironworks subsequently being established next door.

[1] Toxic processing plants for commodities such as crude oil and coal tar were set up along the Hertford Union Canal.

[1] In 1865, a 30-acre plot of surplus railway land in the area was purchased by the Imperial Gas Light & Co. in order to establish a new gasworks.

[1][6][8][10] By the end of the 19th century, Fish Island had become an area of intense and diverse industrial activity, often dangerous or noxious in nature.

It is claimed that the area had the highest density of artists in Europe in the 1990s and Fish Island, together with neighbouring Hackney Wick, became better known for its local art scene than its industry.

Local councils identified Fish Island, together with Hackney Wick, as key areas for regeneration as part of the development for the Olympic Games.

[2][3][4] Fish Island falls within the parliamentary constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

The Heath Studio, a premier venue for art, photography, fashion, commercial, and film projects, was established in 2018 within the Forge Building at the historic Iron Works.

[16][17][18] [19]In 2014, a partnership between tech hub The Trampery and the Barbican Centre, led to the establishment of Fish Island Labs, a mentored art and technology project, which allowed 40 to 50 participants to share a low-cost workspace for ten months.