Defoe House
Barbican, London EC2

SOLD

Architect: Chamberlin, Powell & Bon

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“A sensitive modern environment, preserving many recognisable Barbican features”

This exemplary Type 20 one-bedroom apartment on the third floor has excellent views of the communal gardens from its central position in Defoe House in the Barbican. Wonderfully preserved, the apartment retains many rare original features, including the iconic Brooke Marine kitchen and sink. Flowing living spaces lead onto two wide balconies, spanning the width of the apartment, with one facing west for the evening sun.

The Architect

In 1951 the City of London ran a competition for architects to submit plans for a scheme to replace buildings destroyed by a night of bombing in December 1940. The proposal was to be called the Golden Lane Estate. Peter Chamberlin, Geoffrey Powell and Christoph Bon all submitted plans and agreed that if one of their practices won, they would form a partnership and work together on the project. Powell won the competition, and thus Chamberlin, Powell & Bon was formed in 1952. After their success with the Golden Lane Estate, the firm was asked to design the Barbican Estate, now London’s most iconic brutalist complex. For more information, see the History section below.

The Building

Defoe House, completed in 1973, has 178 flats in total. Living rooms have a view of the garden, and bedrooms look out from the rear of the building, over the garden square between John Trundle Court and Bryer Court.

The Tour

This double-aspect apartment is spread over a single floor, with a living area at one end and a bedroom and bathroom at the other. The L-shaped reception room, with views over the communal gardens, incorporates a dining area, reception and a versatile study which could be arranged as a second bedroom. This adaptable space can be separated from the main living area by full-height partition doors. The balcony can be accessed from the living room and study, where floor-to-ceiling glazing bathes the room in natural light.

The current owner has worked with designer Eric Pearson to convert the apartment into a sensitive modern environment, preserving many recognisable Barbican features, notably the original sliding doors and the Brooke Marine kitchen and sink. Beautifully designed bespoke joinery provides additional discreet storage areas, and a low-level plinth in the reception complements the space.

The bedroom sits at the back of the plan, a generous double with plenty of built-in storage. A second balcony is accessible from here. The adjacent bathroom is lined with fresh white tiles.

The lease has recently been extended to 175 years.

Outdoor Space

The apartment has two balconies, one leading off the living space and study and the second leading off the main bedroom. The south-west facing balcony off the living space is a wonderful suntrap from which to admire the communal gardens and striking forms of the estate itself.

Barbican residents have exclusive access to extensive communal gardens with playgrounds, as well as numerous other facilities within the estate.

The Area

The Barbican has a wealth of public facilities available to residents within the Arts Centre, with its theatre, art gallery, music venue, cinema, and several bars and cafes.

The apartment is near an excellent selection of pubs and restaurants, including the nearby Smithfield MarketSt. John, Luca, The Quality Chop House, in addition the Exmouth Market. Whitecross Street also has a food market every weekday. St Paul’s, the River Thames, the South Bank and Tate Modern are all close by.

Transport links are excellent, with Underground stations at nearby Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines), Old Street (Northern Line), Farringdon (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines) and Moorgate (Northern, Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan Lines).  The Elizabeth Line  has now opened making nearby Farringdon one of the main Crossrail stations.

Tenure: Leasehold 
Lease Length: approx. 175 years remaining
Service Charge: approx. £3,736.00 per annum
Ground Rent: approx. £10 per annum
Council Tax Band: E

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.


History

In 1951 the City of London organised a competition for architects to submit plans for a scheme to replace buildings destroyed by a night of bombing in December 1940. The proposal was to be called the Golden Lane Estate. Peter Chamberlin, Geoffry Powell and Christoph Bon all submitted plans vowing that if one of their practices were to win they would all form a partnership and work together on the project. Powell won the competition, and so Chamberlin, Powell & Bon was formed in 1952.After their success with the Golden Lane Estate, the firm were asked to design the Barbican Estate.

Between 1954 and 1968 they drew up four distinct schemes which they continued to modify even after the build started in 1965. Their intention was to create a residential precinct which would allow people to live “both conveniently and with pleasure”. Their mission would include a quiet pedestrian space which would be “uninterrupted by road traffic” and where people would be able to “move about freely enjoying constantly changing perspectives of terraces, lawns, trees and flowers” and seeing “the new buildings reflected in the ornamental lake.” Their vision came to life in the Barbican Estate.

Apartments have individual balconies which overlook verdant landscaped squares and a lake with fountains. The buildings are isolated from the hubbub of the city and accessed by a pedestrian walkway raised above street level. The residential towers are three of London’s tallest. Designing buildings of this height required close collaboration with engineers especially Ove Arup, who were themselves newly founded in 1946, and were increasingly collaborating on complex projects with avant-garde practitioners of the built world. The towers gave a “dramatic contrast to the otherwise horizontal treatment of the buildings” and have become an iconic part of London’s skyline.

In September 2001, Tessa Blackstone, Minister for the Arts, announced that the Barbican Estate was to be Grade II listed for its special architectural and historical interest. The complex represents a utopian ideal for inner-city living, with its integrated schools, shops, restaurants, theatres and cinemas. It is also one of the most extensive examples of the Brutalist style associated with the honest and raw use of materials.

Queen Elizabeth, after declaring the Barbican open to the public on its completion in 1982 described it as “one of the modern wonders of the world”.

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