Boutique Studio is on the first floor of a Media Block at 119e Cleveland Street, London W1T 6PY in an area known as Fitzrovia. By virtue of it size, the BT tower is the most noticeable structure in the location and is just a few yards away from our front entrance. Today while sitting in the quiet Fitzroy Square two minutes away from the studio it is difficult to believe that you are only a few blocks away from bustling Oxford Street.

However back in the late 19th century, a hundred units away at 19 Cleveland Street it was very different. In the summer of 1889, a homosexual male brothel in the street was uncovered by PC 718, Luke Hanks of the General Post Office's own police force. Hanks had stopped a 15-year-old telegraph boy called Charles Swinscow, who worked at St Martin's Le Grand and was found to be carrying 18 shillings (2 months salary). Swinscow protested his innocence said that he had earned the money by "going to bed with gentlemen" at Number 19. This was at a time when sexual acts between men were illegal in Britain, and brothel's clients faced prosecution.

Scotland Yard put the house under surveillance and confirmed that "a number of men of superior bearing and apparently good position" were frequent visitors. When the property was finally raided, the owner, Charles Hammond, had been tipped off and had already fled to France.

Amongst the visitors were said to include Lord Arthur Somerset, son of the Duke of Beaufort, the Earl of Euston and a Colonel Jervoise from Winchester and there was speculation that Prince Albert Victor, or Prince Eddy, eldest son of the Prince of Wales, was another visitor.

Although the studio is just minutes away from Great Portland Street and Warren street stations, for those wishing to drive there is a car park on the opposite side of the road.

While work is work, it is good to know that when you want to take a break the Cleveland Street area can offer some of London's best dining, hopefully making your visit to our studio a memorial and pleasant experience. All the following are within 3 minutes walk.