The staircase leads from an alley to living space behind a busy high street in London. The view is virtually unchanged for at least 100 years. Previously there was a blacksmith at the foot of the stairs, now it is replaced by a software developer. Originally the house were occupied by families of the very poor, and the buildings were not regarded to be of any architectural interest. But now young, upwardly mobile, people pay a high price to live there. The staircase and the houses above are now regarded as attractive Victoriana. Certainly they provide an interesting composition in this image.

The image is almost black and white, but contains hints of color, for example in the slightly blue/green windows, and the piece is deliberately slightly blurred to evoke a feeling of age.