Joan Street began as part of Green Walk, and then Collingwood Street.

Until the late 18th century, the parish of Christ Church was somewhat isolated from its surrounding districts and even from areas north of the Thames. The only bridge crossing the river in central London was the Old London Bridge, until Westminster Bridge was opened in 1750. Subsequently, Blackfriars Bridge was completed in 1769, and the development of Great Surrey Street (now known as Blackfriars Road) was undertaken by 1771, terminating at St George’s Circus.

Prior to these developments, the primary east-west route within Christ Church Parish was a winding road located behind the riverfront. This road connected Bankside to Upper Ground and then to Narrow Wall, serving the riverside wharves and factories.

Inland, there was another route known as the Green Walk, which comprised the present-day Hopton Street (previously Holland Street), followed by Burrell Street (formerly Church Street), and finally Colombo Street (formerly Collingwood Street). The latter street used to extend north-south to open land but was later connected to Great Charlotte Street (now part of The Cut) when the road was constructed. However, this route has since been interrupted, and the southern portion is now a separate road called Joan Street.