Stepney is an Anglo-Saxon name meaning “Stebba’s landing place”. In the Domesday Book, Stepney is described as containing meadows, pastures and woodlands. There was rapid growth at the end of the 16th century as people moved further out of the City, and because of the growth of the maritime trade. In the 20th century it became a largely industrial suburb, concentrating on the docks and the clothing business. It was an area particularly popular with immigrant populations such as the Jews, Irish, and Chinese. A lot of the housing was destroyed during the Second World War due to German bombing.

Between Globe Road and Cambridge Heath Road, north of Mile End Road, there are a few large Georgian houses. Cephas Avenue has terraces of Victorian houses. Nearby an old brewery was converted into the Chronos buildings, providing houses and flats. East of Globe Road there are terraces of small Victorian houses in the streets just off Mile End Road including Portelet Road, Carlton Square and surrounding streets. Further along is the Grand Canal, where there has been a lot of recent development to include terraced houses and flats. Falkland Works, a 1930s commercial building overlooking the canal has been converted into flats, for example.

On the south side of Mile End Road the huge Ocean Council Estate takes up most of the streets towards Ben Jonson Road. More new homes are also being built in this area. Some terraces of Victorian houses also escaped bombing in the last war. Stepney Green contains a terrace of earlier Queen Anne houses in a cobbled street. The area south of Stepney Green is mainly the Stepford Council Estate, but this has been considerably improved in recent years. Commercial Road marks an area mainly of council estates with some period enclaves. Albert Gardens and Havering Street are part of a conservation area containing Victorian terraced houses. West of Jamaica Street is the Exmouth Council Estate. To the east is the Arbour Square Conservation Area. More Victorian property is to be found in Bromley Street and Belgrave Street. The York Square Conservation Area includes terraces in White Horse Road and Barnes Street.