Description
This large two-bedroom apartment, known as a Type 101, is situated on the third floor of Willoughby House in the Grade II-listed Barbican Estate. One of only twelve apartments of its type, its end of terrace and corner position offers a huge wrap-around balcony overlooking the City. The apartment has been sensitively and carefully refurbished by its architect-owners, affording a flexible living space and is presented in immaculate condition. The large living space, dominated by a unique structural pillar, can be closed off via sliding partitions to create two additional rooms, which could be used as either studies or bedrooms. Full-width sliding windows open out to the balcony and provide plenty of light into the interior.

There is a modern galley kitchen with bespoke plywood units and a serving hatch to the living space. The apartment also retains a number of original features including the original bathroom and the classic Barbican sink in the WC. There are two bright double bedrooms, both with original built-in wardrobes, and have doors that also lead out to the balcony.

The apartment is offered unfurnished, but benefits from plenty of storage including bespoke plywood cabinets and shelving. Rent is inclusive of underfloor heating. Residents also benefit from 24-hour car park attendants as well as the private residents’ gardens.

Available from early August 2020.

Area and transport
The Barbican is well connected by transport, with a number of stations nearby including Barbican (Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan Lines), Moorgate and Old Street (Northern, Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan Lines) underground stations and Farringdon station. The flat is within easy reach of plenty of bars and cafes in Clerkenwell or Shoreditch. As well as a nearby Waitrose supermarket, there is a fantastic independent grocery store, Geranium, at the bottom of Lauderdale Tower.

History
The Barbican Estate is one of the most radical post-war brutalist housing schemes ever realised. Standing on a site which had been devastated in the Blitz, the ‘Barbican area reconstruction plan’ was initially conceived in 1947. By the early 1950s, architects Chamberlin Powell and Bon, who were already working on the neighbouring Golden Lane Estate were selected to work on the masterplan to design a mixed scheme with housing for 330 people per acre. By 1956 the scheme had taken shape and incorporated a school, leisure and cultural facilities, shops and a mix of low-rise residential blocks and Europe's tallest towers. Pedestrian walkways, formal residents’ gardens reminiscent of Georgian squares, a picturesque lake complete with a striking waterfall and fountains — all at varying levels — create order without monotony. Pedestrians are elevated onto highwalks (the podium), separating them from the dangers and noise of the traffic below.

It was originally thought to clad the buildings with marble but later rejected in favour of pick hammered raw concrete — giving the buildings a solid and unified look, visually similar to the later blocks of Golden Lane Estate. Semi-engineered brick is also used below the podium level to echo the materials of the buildings that had previously stood there.

A total of 2,113 flats of housing for 6,500 people was built, aimed at middle- to high-income residents. The majority of the housing is either one or two-bedroom aimed at young single people. To attract these potential wealthy residents, car parking for 2,500 cars, district underfloor heating and a theatre were all incorporated into the design. Internally the spaces were designed to be luxurious, well-built with quality fixtures, lots of light and space, often utilising double-height ceilings and full-height picture windows leading out to terraces or balconies. The Barbican Centre, one of Europe’s biggest art centres was officially opened by the Queen in 1982.

The Barbican was given Grade II listed status in 2001.