To think the Barbican Estate in London is a masterpiece?

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I never really liked concrete or 1960s architecture until I did the Architecture Tour on the Barbican Estate a few days ago. Now I “understand” it and can really appreciate it. Living there would be a dream. AIBU to consider it a masterpiece?

I quite like it. A friend has a beautiful flat there.

But I’m always aware that it was built for the well-off - it even has a high-end private school in the middle - and because of that is well looked after. Brutalism doesn’t generally work where crime and isolation is more common.

Haven’t been there for ages, but the lack of green/greenery was what made the greatest impression. I’m not really a fan of 60s concrete brutalism TBH, but I can see why people like that particular development.

I like the clean lines, the level of thought and planning, the post-war hope that slums and obsolete housing could be replaced with space and energy efficient "machines for living" that would improve the lives of their occupants. Obviously, that generally didn't happen in the UK, for any number of reasons, but the Barbican is an excellent example of high-rise living that works, and not just for those with no other options.

The Barbican estate still has its share of drug dealing and other anti-social behaviour.

Interesting. But I doubt it has its “share”. Some round the edges maybe.

No, it's not 'around the edges', it's very much on and in the estate.

These concrete jungles are a gift to those who don't want to be spotted doing what they do.

I think it's awful, sorry.

I know it is trendy and avant-garde for one to say they love it. But I just can't and don't.

Drug offences, including potential dealing, have been identified as one of the main types of crime occurring within the Barbican Estate, although overall crime levels were noted as being within normal limits in a September 2023 report. Specific resident concerns have been raised regarding suspected drug dealing activities in particular areas, such as the Willoughby House car park.

Key Information

• Crime Trends: A report by the City of London Police in September 2023 indicated that drug offences are a consistent crime type within the Barbican Estate over the last five years, alongside theft and violence against the person.
• Specific Concerns: In a past Residents' Consultation Committee meeting, a representative for Willoughby House expressed significant concern and "strong evidence" to suggest that drug dealers might be operating in the car park, prompting an agreement for the Car Park Manager to meet with the resident.
• Perception vs. Data: While some general forum discussions and opinion pieces from various dates mention a perception of drug activity in alleyways or the area, official police data from late 2023 suggested there were no statistically significant crime increases in the Barbican Estate and crime was within normal control limits.
• Reporting: Residents are strongly encouraged to report all instances of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime to the authorities to ensure patrols can be adapted accordingly and incidents are officially logged.

I would hate to live in a tower block, even an expensive one.
Is there any local authority housing or are all the flats privately owned?

We went to a concert there and got lost. Why was it made so hard to navigate? Did the architect give no consideration to this?
We’ve never got lost at any other concert halls or theatres.

Over a million quid to live in a flat with a tiny concrete balcony overlooking more concrete? Our house cost less than 10th of that, we live by the sea, have a garage, a garden and private parking.

What is the appeal of it? I don't get it

I used to work opposite there and had to walk across it to the company bank in Moorgate. I liked exploring around the estate. Good cinema there.

OK, but I doubt any residents are flogging wraps. And their dealers probably pop by for a toot and a decent glass of red when supplying for the weekend.

Open air dealing in the Barbican must be by and for people who don’t live there. And it’s hardly as though you see old mattresses and shopping trolleys lying around the Barbican.

Golden Lane estate for me please. I want to choose my own kitchen etc if I’m not getting change from £800k for a flat.

Agree.

It's flat out awful. It must be so totally depressing to open your curtains to that drab, soulless concrete every single day. No amount of 'great location' would make up for it.

OK, but I doubt any residents are flogging wraps. And their dealers probably pop by for a toot and a decent glass of red when supplying for the weekend.

In the underground car park?

Why wouldn't they pop into the flats for their glass of red?

It’s a masterpiece. The thing is that we’ve learnt that Brutalism ages poorly in the British climate unless it’s well built and cared for. Much of it was neither. Councils cut corners on estates, both in the building and the maintenance, and many Brutalist projects had poor site planning.

That was my point. I expect the residents’ dealers do visit the flats. I strongly suspect that open air dealing in the Barbican is by and for people from outside it, as I said.

What you posted upthread seems to say that drug dealing mostly goes on in a car park. That happens everywhere.

In any case, as I posted, I don’t rate concrete mazes as a good design choice generally. It only works in the Barbican because its residents are affluent.

I don't know the why and when etc, but the drug dealing is being reported by the people who live on the estate.

They are being negatively affected by it.

Where the dealers live is of no concern to them I expect.

I used to work near the Barbican. I also used to get lost whenever I walked through there. I had a ticket for the library and used to go there at lunchtimes. I did manage to find a direct route, but deviate from it at all and I'd be lost, and like pp, the yellow brick road didn't help. I'd find myself on a level above where I wanted to be, and no way down.

Great location for working in or near the City, but I'm sure there are nicer places equally near.

I remember it being built. An aunt had her name down for a flat, but it went way, way beyond what she could afford.

Agree about how St Giles is left isolated.

Always hated the old Museum of London site too, and how inaccessible that was.

Oh dear. I wouldn't call it 'lucky' living in a village- I'd be bored to tears and I'm very glad to live in London.

I like the Barbican - not sure I'd live there but enjoy wandering round.

Sure. But my point is that on many poorer brutalist estates and ‘60s block estates there is prevalent drug dealing from flats on the estates, drug dens basically. The sort that are run by violent men and that attract violent crime. I doubt that happens in the Barbican.

Gorgeous flats but my goodness the service charge!'

I went once and it felt soulless. There are some places I love that also feel quite bleak but the Barbican just felt bleak in a sad way.
the view from the flat posted above is particularly depressing.
trapped concrete jungle vibes and the rooms lack any character or features. Not for me at all. Horses for courses though!

A relative lives there in a studio flat, basically one small living space with a mezzanine bedroom and loo. He paid more than 4x what we paid for our 4 bed semi in the north, I know you can't compare but the cist per sq m is astronomical luckily he's single as I think even a couple would struggle in that small space let alone more.

To be fair he doesn't really need to stay inside a lot, everything is on the doorstep.

They're nice enough inside but why would you want to pay over £1m to have a view of concrete from a tiny concrete balcony?