Barbican, London is a vibrant cultural and business district known for its iconic Brutalist architecture and world-class venues, offering a unique blend of modernity and history for business travellers.
Designed in the plain Brutalist architecture style and constructed on a 35-acre site that had been badly bombed during World War II, when it was built the Barbican Estate attracted as much criticism as it did praise. Today, most of the buildings in the area are Grade II listed and loved for their uniqueness. The Barbican Centre is London’s premier arts venue.
Whether you are looking for a basic one- or two-bedroom serviced apartment in the iconic Barbican Centre itself, or an elegant property in the city centre, you’re spoiled for choice.
All Situ’s serviced apartments in Barbican and the City of London are perfectly placed for the best restaurants, entertainment venues, and shopping on offer. Many apartments also have balconies with breathtaking views.
Of course, you can always browse aparthotels in Barbican. These offer all the privacy and convenience of an apartment combined with the facilities of a hotel, such as a reception or front desk, business meeting rooms, or even a gym.
Barbican is in the Centre of London, taking in parts of the City, Shoreditch, Farringdon, and St Paul’s. Nearby is Islington and Clerkenwell.
Work began at the Barbican in 1965, with the complex taking eleven years to finish. It was initially owned by the City of London Council with the flats let at commercial rates. This meant only the very rich could afford to live there.
Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy Bill have resulted in most of the flats today being privately owned. The complex includes three tower blocks of 43 storeys – at one point the tallest in London and even Europe. Today it houses around 6500 people, more than half of the population of the City of London.
But the Barbican is, of course, also home to the famous performing arts complex, the Barbican Centre, home of the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Shakespeare Company. It includes the Barbican Hall, the Barbican Theatre, Barbican Film, Barbican Library, and two exhibition halls.
Being so well-located for the City, Barbican is well-placed for sectors such as law, finance, and commerce. But it’s also a great location for the trendy IT hubs and hipster enclave that is Shoreditch. This makes it an ideal location for networking.
Barbican has a rich blend of modernity and culture. It is home to a range of business hubs and offers excellent conference and event facilities at the Barbican Centre, including great restaurants suitable for entertaining clients and colleagues.
With excellent transport connections and proximity to the City of London, it's a convenient base for professionals. The cultural opportunities, nearby attractions, and range of business services further enhance its appeal. Safety and convenience make Barbican a well-rounded choice for business travellers looking to balance work and exploration in the heart of London.
Barbican is busy during the week as the City comes alive with workers, but quiet at the weekend – with only theatre goers and other arts lovers then. The site is also home to the Museum of London, so you will find plenty of tourists as well.
As well as the trendy coffee shops of Shoreditch you can also visit Smithfield for some fancy dining or even clubbing. There are world-famous Michelin-starred restaurants, while the 150-year-old Whitecross Street Market opens a world of authentic street food.
Plant lovers can take regular visits to the Conservatory with its 1500 different species of plants and trees. Even sitting within the complex provides access to a lake and relaxing coffee shops.
There are, of course, the numerous plays, stand-up comedy performances, and arts exhibitions or cinema to immerse yourself in. Also sightseeing of London Bridge, Tower of London, and Oxford street and so on.
The Barbican is only thirty minutes walking distance from anywhere in the City of London. It’s also just a short stroll from many train stations and the London underground network.
Stansted Airport is 33 miles away and can be accessed via the London Overground train from Liverpool Street Station. A shuttle bus from the Barbican Station takes forty-five minutes while the train is just over an hour. The bus leaves from Liverpool Street Station and takes one hour and twenty-five minutes.
Liverpool Street Station and Farringdon are the two nearest train stations to the Barbican, and both are a mere eleven minutes’ walk away.
Also within walking distance are Old Street and Moorgate stations. Great Northern and Thameslink trains run from all these stations. Kings Cross station is just five minutes away from the Barbican by tube. At Kings Cross you can get on the Victoria, Northern, and Piccadilly lines to other areas of the city.
The actual Barbican underground station is between Farringdon and Moorgate stations and is a four-minute walk from the Estate. You can get to the tube stations via the Metropolitan, Circle, and Hammersmith & City lines. Moorgate underground station is seven minutes’ walk away via the H&C Line and St Paul’s is eleven minutes on the Central Line.
The number 153 runs past the Barbican but failing that, numbers 4 and 56 are also close and handy for the Barbican tube station itself.
Travel Management Companies