Cork Street is part of the Burlington Estate, which was developed from the 18th century.
The first Earl of Burlington was Richard Boyle (1612–1698), 2nd Earl of Cork; the street is named for that city.

The street in particular and the area in general was associated with tailors.
In particular, the leading  Regency London tailors Schweitzer and Davidson were located in Cork Street.
Beau Brummell (1778–1840), who introduced the flamboyant form of gentleman's fashion that became known as dandyism, patronised Schweitzer and Davidson in Cork Street.
Savile Row, not far from Cork Street to the east, is now the street most associated with high-quality gentleman's tailors today.

In the early 20th century, the street became associated with the art world.
Cork Street is today known in the art world for its many commercial art galleries.
It is close to the Royal Academy on Piccadilly to the south, when has an interest in the artistic nature of the street.
As of 2012, there are 22 galleries in the street.

The street is considered to be one of the United Kingdom's "most important art hubs".
The galleries of Cork Street have launched the careers of many major modern artists in Britain.
For example, the Mayor Gallery was the venue for the first London exhibitions of Francis Bacon, Max Ernst, Paul Klee, and Joan Miró.
Peggy Guggenheim opened her 'Guggenheim Jeune' art gallery at number 30 in 1938.

The art dealer Lillian Browse was nicknamed "The Duchess of Cork Street", and used that name as the title of her autobiography.
Cork Street is part of the Burlington Estate, which was developed from the 18th century. The first Earl of Burlington was Richard Boyle (1612–1698), 2nd Earl of Cork; the street is named for that city.
The street in particular and the area in general was associated with tailors. In particular, the leading  Regency London tailors Schweitzer and Davidson were located in Cork Street. Beau Brummell (1778–1840), who introduced the flamboyant form of gentleman's fashion that became known as dandyism, patronised Schweitzer and Davidson in Cork Street. Savile Row, not far from Cork Street to the east, is now the street most associated with high-quality gentleman's tailors today.
In the early 20th century, the street became associated with the art world. Cork Street is today known in the art world for its many commercial art galleries. It is close to the Royal Academy on Piccadilly to the south, when has an interest in the artistic nature of the street. As of 2012, there are 22 galleries in the street.
The street is considered to be one of the United Kingdom's "most important art hubs". The galleries of Cork Street have launched the careers of many major modern artists in Britain. For example, the Mayor Gallery was the venue for the first London exhibitions of Francis Bacon, Max Ernst, Paul Klee, and Joan Miró. Peggy Guggenheim opened her 'Guggenheim Jeune' art gallery at number 30 in 1938.
The art dealer Lillian Browse was nicknamed "The Duchess of Cork Street", and used that name as the title of her autobiography.
Cork Street