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SHORT TERM RENTAL
Description
An opportunity to sample ‘Barbican life’ with this short term rental. A wonderfully located one-bedroom apartment on the fifth-floor of Andrewes House, in Grade II-listed Barbican Estate, known as a ‘Type 57’ layout. This double-aspect flat comprises a large south-facing living/dining room, with full-height sliding windows to the balcony. The original kitchen — with serving hatch to the dining space — was designed by Brooke Marine and retains many of the unique Barbican features such as the Creda hobs, Creda oven and stainless steel worktop, but benefits from a modern washing machine and a fridge-freezer. At the other end of the apartment is a large double bedroom —with floor-to-ceiling storage — with direct access to the fire escape/balcony which overlooks the private residents’ gardens, lake and waterfall. There is also an original bathroom and WC with Barbican Twyford sink. (Please note, photographs were taken in 2022, the apartment now has cork flooring throughout living room, hall and bedroom)
Residents benefit from 24-hour car park attendants/concierge service as well as the private residents’ gardens. Parking and storage units are available via a separate arrangement with the Barbican Estate office.
—Offered part furnished (double bed, sofa/bed, shelving, landlord can provide with additional items if helpful)
—Rent is inclusive of underfloor heating
—Available for 4.5 months: 6 March–12 July 2023
—Viewings on the mornings of Saturday 11 and 18 February 2023 (with flexibility)
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. 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
Note to prospective tenants
Please note, all emails are forwarded directly to the landlord.