Upper James Street

Upper James Street is a short street on the eastern side of Golden Square, running north to meet Beak Street. It belongs to the late-seventeenth-century scheme that turned the former Gelding Close into one of Soho's first planned quarters.

The street is one of four that lead into Golden Square, the others being Lower James Street and the matching pair of John Streets. Its name almost certainly comes from James Axtell, a carpenter and one of the joint owners of the ground when the licence to build was granted in 1673. Axtell took the ground on the east side of the square, and the James Streets carry his name while the John Streets recall his partner, the bricklayer John Emlyn.

Development of the surrounding plots was under way by the 1680s, when brickmaker Richard Tyler held leases over much of the neighbouring ground and houses were raised with frontages towards what was then Silver Street, now Beak Street. By the nineteenth century Golden Square and its approaches had shifted from grand residences towards the wool and worsted trade, and the modest houses gave way in part to larger warehouses and offices.

Today the street keeps its quiet position just off the square, lined with offices, studios and small businesses a few steps from the busier routes through Soho.