Without question, Charli XCX, the well-known pop phenomenon, is rarely accused of being lazy. Just look at her performance at the Lido music festival in Victoria Park, east London on June 14; this came after a demanding tour that had kept her traveling across continents for nearly eight months straight.
It’s safe to assume that the 32-year-old singer, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, was probably eager to rest in her own bed after the 90-minute performance ended. Notably, she didn’t have a long journey home.
Charli XCX, who gained fame with her successful album “Brat” last year and garnered praise from U.S. presidential nominee Kamala Harris, sparking the popular cultural phenomenon known as ‘Brat summer’, has recently purchased a £3.8 million home in Los Angeles.
Moreover, besides his lavish Cambridge home, this famous figure also owns a humbler abode, a basic terrace apartment, located in none other than Hackney. The price of this property remains undisclosed.
Previously known as an industrial area with a less glamorous image, Hackney might appear unusual for high-profile celebrities who are typically associated with the flashy atmosphere of Beverly Hills. However, in recent times, British stars have been drawn away from the streets of west London and towards Hackney instead, causing unease among long-time residents, as a report by The Mail revealed this week.
Certainly, it’s not only Charli XCX who lauds this area; many well-known figures in the Lido Festival audience could vouch for that.
Moreover, there was the Hollywood actor Paul Mescal, who shared about his residence in this district following his significant role in the TV series Normal People in 2020. Frequently, enamored admirers reported sightings of him jogging bare-chested around Victoria Park or along the adjoining canal.
Accompanied by actor Harris Dickinson, who recently played Nicole Kidman’s love interest in the sensual mystery “Babygirl” and will be a fellow cast member with Mescal in the upcoming four-episode series chronicling the lives of The Beatles.
In an intriguing turn of events, I found myself privy to the sight of James Norton and Lily Allen seemingly relishing a delightful first rendezvous. Their paths crossed on the exclusive celebrity dating platform, Raya.
After that, we had Harry Styles, a devoted fan of Hackney who celebrated his 19th birthday within the borough back in 2013, being a former member of One Direction and known for his heart-throb charm.
Outside the park, Sarah Jessica Parker (from Sex And The City) resides in Hackney, as does BBC Radio 1 host Greg James and fashion icon Alexa Chung. Notably, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex seem to be admirers too, having chosen Violet bakery in Hackney to create their wedding cake in 2018.
It’s not surprising, then, that this group of influential individuals has been likened to another famous social circle – often referred to as ‘the Primrose Hill set.’ This group was known for their lavish parties and frequent media attention during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The main characters varied occasionally, but the primary group, many of whom resided and interacted within the area named after north London, consisted predominantly of supermodel Kate Moss, actors like Jude Law, Sienna Miller, and Rhys Ifans, as well as brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher from Oasis.
Looking back on those days, our infamous circle was known for living it up, often indulging in spirited nights out involving alcohol, recreational substances, and a fair share of romantic adventures. After my tumultuous divorce from Sadie Frost in 2003, we all went our separate ways, but those times will always hold a special place in the annals of our collective memories.
In 2025, with the rise of celebrity health brands, it’s hard to imagine such scandalous behavior. Yet, the star-filled streets of Hackney spark curiosity: Could E9 be the emerging symbol of influence?
Society bible Tatler certainly thinks so – last year it praised Hackney as the ‘borough du jour’.
With enthusiasm, the magazine proclaimed the location as a vibrant social hub teeming with stylish young women and trendy Gen Z individuals. It seems that this area is also known for its lush surroundings where upscale cafes dominate and “natural” wine is as common as cans of Perello olives.
One of the spots it emphasized was The Shacklewell Arms in Hackney, a place often visited by actors like Mescal, his Normal People castmate Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Irish actress Saoirse Ronan.
An additional highly recommended spot for a drink is the vibrant Night Tales cocktail bar, which features a lively techno soundtrack and boasts Princess Laetitia Maria of Belgium among its regular patrons.
Hackney is an absolute heaven for food enthusiasts as well, boasting as many as seven Michelin-starred eateries – among them Plates, which became the United Kingdom’s very first vegan restaurant to receive such recognition.
Last year, the esteemed leaders in the industry recognized the iconic Broadway Market as the top food market in Britain. This bustling hub, open over 50 vendor stations each weekend, serves up a variety of street food delights.
Down the street you’ll find several shops that stay open throughout the week, among them are specialized bookstores boasting unique and intriguing titles like “Baldness & Modernism” and “Cigarettes: 1930-2010.
A street that might gain popularity among celebrities, filled with eateries, art galleries, shops, and a unique flower studio, is known as Wilton Way. In simpler terms, this place has cafes, art spaces, retail stores, and a flower shop.
The Towpath Cafe, situated next to the Regent’s Canal, boasts an impressive clientele such as actress Tracey Ullman, fashion designer Simone Rocha, and celebrated chef Fergus Henderson. Its most renowned patron, Keira Knightley, expressed that this cafe is ‘one of the reasons I call London home’, further stating that it’s a ‘delightful, almost magical place’.
Additionally, let’s talk about the green areas: Hackney has a total of 58 parks, covering approximately 282 hectares. This makes it the largest area of recreational green space in inner London. As stated on the council’s website, Hackney Marshes is home to Europe‘s highest density of football fields. Meanwhile, Victoria Park, spanning over 86 hectares and hosting events like the Lido Festival and All Points East festival each August, welcomes nine million visitors annually.
Although some fans might find Hackney’s recent Hollywood fame exciting, a significant number of locals seem to feel quite the opposite about it.
Next to Wilton Way lies the sober Wilton Estate, which was constructed for social housing in the 1950s. One resident I spoke with shared that he frequently spots celebrities like Paul Mescal enjoying drinks at the Spurstowe Arms pub nearby. However, when I asked about his thoughts on these famous neighbors, his response wasn’t particularly positive.
He mentions that he wouldn’t object to well-known individuals settling in the neighborhood, but they would likely focus on homes priced at £2 million and above.
‘It’s not really an issue since prices like those are unaffordable for people living around here. However, the concern is that high costs eventually affect everyone, even locals like myself. As a result, even ordinary places end up becoming incredibly expensive.’
And the threat of soaring house prices isn’t the only issue.
Last year, Hackney recorded the highest burglary incidents among all London boroughs and ranks as one of the five most crime-prone areas in the capital. According to CrimeRate, as of 2025, the crime rate in Hackney is 28% above the average for London and a staggering 55% higher than the combined average for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
A closer look at the data shows an even more concerning trend: In the year leading up to last September, as indicated by 4,475 crime reports made to the Metropolitan Police, the rate of personal theft in Hackney was a staggering 38 times higher than the national average.
In my observations, the incidence of vehicle-related crimes in our locality was shockingly thrice as high as the nation’s average. Interestingly, independent studies reveal that our district ranks amongst the top London boroughs with concerning levels of gang and knife violence.
According to a local resident, identified only as Sarah, the area is currently populated with an excessive number of idle youths.
We aim to avoid high-profile spectators sauntering about as if this is their personal domain, accompanied by their boisterous groups who might cause disturbances.
Progressing along Mare Street, Hackney’s bustling artery, the upscale eateries and trendy shops cherished by celebrities seem almost alien to me.
Instead, the street landscape is primarily made up of fast food places, low-end shops, and betting establishments. The elegantly decorated Hackney Empire, a red-brick Grade II listed building that was established as a music hall in 1901, provides a momentary reprieve from the procession of unattractive sights.
The pedestrianized area towards the north end of the street doesn’t see significant improvement, not even with the addition of a well-known coffee shop like Gail’s, often associated with gentrification, or the historic St Augustine’s Tower, which dates back to the 16th century and appears on the borough’s coat of arms. Despite their presence, they don’t seem to make the area more lively.
For the rest of this section, you’ll find mostly repetitive scenes – fast food joints, mobile repair shops, and establishments that seem to lack personality. However, there are more closed, vandalized stores with broken windows and graffiti.
At the intersection of Mare Street and Lower Clapton Road, you’ll find The Crown pub. This establishment has a welcoming yet slightly melancholic vibe, with a bartender who is friendly and a clientele consisting mainly of quiet, middle-aged gentlemen enjoying a drink on their own.
The horse races from Royal Ascot are being televised, and betting slips are scattered around. A polite reminder for patrons reads: ‘During darts games, please refrain from sitting at the window seats.’
A few humorous posters adorn the walls, with one joking about Jägerbombs ‘lowering women’s standards for a long time’, yet there’s not much merriment in the air.
Personally speaking, I don’t sense it as a typical hangout spot for the new celebrities moving to Hackney.
Outside, numerous individuals are basking in the pleasant afternoons of St John’s Church Gardens, enjoying the picturesque scenery. One such individual is Elaine Shields, a middle-aged mother who resides in Hackney and casually mentions that she has lived there for quite some time.
Her assessment, at least, carries a touch of optimism. ‘There are certainly flaws to be found, and it’s far from an ideal haven,’ she says. ‘However, I must admit that there seems to be a strong sense of camaraderie among the people here.’
To be completely honest, not even I, an authority on lifestyle matters, would argue that the presence of a slew of celebrities will magically transform the situation at hand.
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2025-06-25 14:04