One of the misconceptions is that the residents of the Grenfell Tower were mainly social housing. But actually the residents were quite diverse:
Grenfell Tower: Building and Community
Built in the 1970s, Grenfell Tower formed part of the Lancaster West housing estate in North Kensington, west London. The tower exemplified a wider urban development trend of the 1960s and 1970s, when local authorities constructed tower blocks across London to replace slum housing with affordable social housing. Tenants were later granted the right to purchase their homes at discounted rates.
By 2017, Grenfell Tower housed a remarkably diverse community. Up to 600 people lived in the building’s 120 flats, representing a rich tapestry of nationalities, ethnicities, and generations. Residents hailed from countries including the UK, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, and Syria, among others.
The community spanned all age groups and life stages. Young families with children lived alongside elderly residents, some of whom had called Grenfell home for decades. One family—a husband, wife, and three daughters—occupied a flat on the 22nd floor, while an 84-year-old woman had resided in the tower for 34 years.
Professionally, the residents were equally varied, including artists, dressmakers, hairdressers, chefs, and architects. While some had established roots over many years, others had arrived more recently for work or educational opportunities. This blend of long-term residents and newcomers created a dynamic, multicultural community within the tower’s walls.