The central public gardens contain flower beds and mature trees, and an unusual building resembling a classical temple.

Thomas Milner Gibson was a member of parliament, President of the Board of Trade, supporter of the free-trade movement and a leading anti-Corn Laws orator.

Starting in 1856, Islington's Medical Officer of Health Dr Edward Ballard published annual reports into public health in Islington, and noted unsanitary conditions in many locations with "mortality from tubercular diseases" and "zymotic mortality" in Gibson Square from 1857.

Starting about 1960 middle class and professional householders began returning to Islington, refurbishing houses which were once elegant but now, more often than not, were endowed with Victorian plumbing hardly suited for modern living.

Journalists, architects, lawyers, accountants, teachers and designers were attracted by the style and size of the Regency and Victorian houses and squares[3]: 27-28  and the opportunity to acquire large, characterful properties at prices they could afford, with easy access to the City of London, Westminster and the West End.

The new, articulate, and well-organised owner-occupiers formed a society to fight the proposal, and after a lengthy campaign and with the support of Sir Basil Spence amongst others, the design was modified until the current solution was accepted.

London Transport also restored the gardens, repaved the paths with York stone slabs, and replaced the chicken wire fencing with metal railings.