Looking at Paddington (a prime area) now, one would find it difficult to believe that it had been a slum area after World War II. Extensive restoration and gentrification during the 1960s saw the suburb emerging as a good residential area with lovely Georgian and Victorian terraced houses and apartments, their doorways and balconies embellished with the intricate, distinctive wrought ironwork known as “Paddington Lace”. Recent residential developments are 1- to 2-storey Victorian-style terraced homes.
Paddington is also a bustling commercial district with Paris-inspired cafés and restaurants along Five Ways, a junction of streets near the Scottish Hospital. The suburb has actually become very popular with its pubs and restaurants. High fashion boutiques and accessories shops can be found on Oxford Street and William Street.