Barbican Estate

Barbican Estate
Barbican Towers
Barbican Towers
Map
General information
TypeMixed-use development
Architectural styleBrutalist/Fortress
Town or cityLondon
CountryEngland
Design and construction
Architecture firmChamberlin, Powell and Bon
Structural engineerOve Arup & Partners
Civil engineerOve Arup & Partners
DesignationsGrade II listed
Website
Official website

The Barbican Estate, or Barbican, is a residential complex of around 2,000 flats, maisonettes and houses in central London, England, within the City of London. It is in an area once devastated by World War II bombings and densely populated by financial institutions, 1.4 miles (2.2 km) north east of Charing Cross.[1] Originally built as rental housing for middle- and upper-middle-class professionals, it remains an upmarket residential estate. It contains, or is adjacent to, the Barbican Arts Centre, the Museum of London, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Barbican public library, the City of London School for Girls and a YMCA (now closed),[2] forming the Barbican Complex.

The Barbican Complex is a prominent example of British brutalist architecture and is Grade II listed as a whole,[3] with the exception of the former Milton Court, which once contained a fire station, medical facilities and some flats but was demolished to allow the construction of a new apartment tower—named The Heron—which also provides additional facilities for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

  1. ^ "How far is it? - Straight Line Distance Calculator".
  2. ^ "Finsbury Hostel Closure". Islington Gazette. 2 February 2012. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  3. ^ Historic England. "Barbican (1352667)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 June 2011.