Railway Arches to Rent in Shoreditch
Premium creative and tech hub at the heart of East London's gallery scene. Shoreditch arches command the highest rents in London, driven by proximity to Old Street's tech cluster and a world-class concentration of independent galleries and studios.
£28–£42
avg rent /sqft pa
EC2A, E1
postcodes
+28%
5-year growth
Rising
market trend
About Shoreditch Railway Arches
Shoreditch sits at the epicentre of East London's creative economy, where railway arches house galleries, concept stores, tech-adjacent businesses, and some of London's most talked-about food and drink venues. The area's transformation from a gritty industrial zone to a global creative destination has pushed arch rents to the highest in London. Arches here benefit from exceptional visibility — Shoreditch High Street Overground station, proximity to Old Street (the "Silicon Roundabout" tech hub), and massive pedestrian footfall make this prime commercial territory. The Arch Company manages the majority of stock, with some arches under independent landlords. Shoreditch suits businesses that need maximum brand exposure and can justify premium rents through high turnover or creative cachet. The Rivington Street and Bethnal Green Road viaducts are key arch clusters.
Transport Links
- Shoreditch High Street— Overground, 2 min walk
- Old Street— Northern line, 7 min walk
- Liverpool Street— Central/Elizabeth line, 10 min walk
Rent & Cost Benchmarks
How Shoreditch compares to the London average for a 1,000 sqft railway arch
| Metric | Shoreditch | London Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Rent (£/sqft pa) | £28–£42 | £20–£30 |
| Typical Rateable Value | £28,000–£42,000 | £20,000–£35,000 |
| Est. Business Rates (pa) | £12,096–£18,144 | £8,640–£15,120 |
| Service Charge (pcm) | £300–£450 | £200–£400 |
| Est. Total Cost (1,000 sqft, pa) | £40,096–£60,144 | £28,000–£45,000 |
Business Mix & Sectors
Notable Businesses
- Various independent galleries
- Tech startup studios
- Concept retail stores
Key Landlords & Finding Space
- •The Arch Company
- •Independent landlords
Tips for Finding Space in Shoreditch
- Walk the arch clusters in person — look for "To Let" boards that may not be listed online
- Ask existing arch tenants about upcoming vacancies — word of mouth is common
- Contact The Arch Company directly for Shoreditch availability
- Check Rightmove Commercial for independent agent listings
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Highest footfall and brand visibility in East London
- +Adjacent to Old Street tech cluster — ideal for tech-adjacent businesses
- +World-class gallery and creative scene
- +Multiple transport links including Elizabeth line access
Cons
- -Highest rents of any London arch area
- -Extremely competitive — very low vacancy rates
- -Premium location premium means tight margins for many businesses
- -Weekend crowds can be disruptive for non-retail uses
Adjacent Areas
Hackney
Hackney offers a similar creative scene at 15-25% lower rents, with more space and a growing food scene
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green offers 30-40% lower rents with a more industrial character, ideal for workshops and studios
Hoxton
Hoxton is effectively Shoreditch's northern extension, with slightly lower rents and a strong food and creative scene