Several plans were drawn up between 1810 and 1847 for housing development on the estate, but little progress was made until the 1830s, under the ownership of George Thornhill.

A rich local dairy farmer, Samuel Pocock, built Thornhill Crescent starting around 1849.

1A Thornhill Crescent, offered a broad education, including French, drawing, and music, and preparation for university and public examinations.

Islington West Library was designed by Professor Arthur Beresford Pite, the architect of the south end of Burlington Arcade, was built by C. Dearing & Co., and opened in 1907.

By 1959 about a third of the property in the surrounding square mile was condemned for rebuilding by Islington Council, and the vicar claimed that women were afraid to attend church on dark evenings because of the disagreeable neighbourhood.

[1]: 142  However, as the area became newly fashionable as part of the gentrification of Islington in the 1960s and 1970s, many of the freeholds were privately purchased by occupants and the houses were rehabilitated.

[1]: 143 The church is built of Kentish rag-stone and Bath stone, in Decorated neo-Gothic "middle-pointed" style.

[1]: 143-144  Planting includes shrub borders, ornamental displays and rose beds, with paths, lawns and seating, and a mound to the north.

[11] St Andrew's Church is surrounded by a pleasant garden laid out with flower beds, paths and shrubs, with trees around its perimeter.

Edith Garrud (1872–1971), gave training in jujutsu and the use of Indian club to "the Bodyguard", a suffragette unit to protect Emmeline Pankhurst.