Lauderdale Tower, Barbican, London EC2

Impeccably designed by Bryan O'Sullivan, this extraordinary apartment sits on the 39th floor of the Barbican's Lauderdale Tower. The interior serves as an homage to the iconic estate's origins, with its sumptuous palette of rich, tactile materials and vintage flourishes. Extensive glazing, which slides onto a generous wraparound balcony, frames panoramic views of some of London's most notable landmarks, from Big Ben and the London Eye to Hampstead Heath in the north.

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 arguably London’s most iconic brutalist complex.

The Building

Lauderdale Tower is one of three within The Barbican estate, along with Cromwell and Shakespeare. Below penthouse level, each floor contains three flats and three lifts, ordered via a central panel and arranged around a triangular lobby area punctuated with The Barbican's unmistakable panels of rough concrete. The building is characterised by its polygonal shape, upswept balconies and jagged swept tops. Pevsner describes these towers as "unmistakable silhouettes prominent in long views"; they were once one of the tallest residential towers in Europe.

The Tour

There are two entrances into Lauderdale Tower: the main ground-floor concierge entrance is at street level, and there is a further first-floor podium-level entrance for residents only.

The front door opens onto a cloakroom area, panelled in burr oak and with concealed cabinets for coats and shoes. Distinctive red onyx lies underfoot.

Handmade oak end-grain flooring begins beyond the cloakroom, spreading into the open-plan living space. Generous windows punctuate the sitting and dining room across two aspects, allowing natural light to pour in. Textured Marmorino polished plaster walls by stuccodore PD Marlow work to amplify the brightness.

A masterful combination of oak and striking Arni Fantástico marble, known for its blue-ish grey streaks, defines the bespoke kitchen. Built by Longpre joiners, smooth undulating surfaces conceal a host of practical amenities including two dishwashers and three ovens all by Miele. There is also a Quooker tap with filtered, sparkling and boiling water settings. A sliding pocket door at the opposite end reveals a useful pantry cupboard and laundry room also executed with marble and oak.

A subtle art-hanging system is adopted throughout and there are plaster-in speakers set in the ceiling. Further storage sits within the eaves of the space, which also includes the servers for the customisable Lutron lighting, Lutron shades and Total AV Control audio visual system.

Adjacent lies the tv room or snug, separated by glass Crittall-style doors with Max Ingrand handles from the 1950s. An enclosed space, lined with further burr oak, it was purposefully designed for cosy evenings in. A wall of integrated shelving offers plenty of space for books and trinkets while wires and sockets are hidden behind. Well preserved timber-framed doors slide open to the balcony to extend out the space in the warmer months.

The main bedroom sits at the end of the hallway and has an en suite shower room with Calacatta Paonazzo marble. It also has a walk-in wardrobe with bespoke cabinetry and a lighting system. Its triangular plan adds a a sense of play to the overall design.

The main bathroom is a spectacularly designed space with beguiling Cipollino marble, famous for its distinctive wavy pattern; there is also a bath with a step-in shower. Polished nickel fittings are by Waterworks and there is a Japanese Toto Toilet and heated mirrors.

There is also an additional nursery room, papered with a blue and white design by Claire de Quenetien. The room could easily be converted into an additional study or double bedroom.

The apartment comes with a parking space at basement level and three seperate storage rooms.

Outdoor Space

The apartment's private wraparound balcony can be accessed via the original double-height glazed doors in the living area and primary bedroom. The views are breathtaking; an uninterrupted vista encompasses almost every central London landmark.

Powder-blue planters line the perimeter and are filled with purple Hydrangeas. There is outdoor lighting an irrigation system to ensure the plants and flowers remain healthy throughout the year.

One of the original intents of the Barbican plan was to provide an enclosed green sanctuary for those living on the estate. As a result, residents have access to several both private and public gardens. The private gardens extend to around two and a half acres and comprise expansive lawns, various species of mature trees, and textual borders with native and exotic species. There are also dedicated areas for children's play.

The Area

The Barbican Arts Centre is on its residents' doorstep and houses a theatre, an art gallery, a concert venue, cinemas, and several bars and cafés. The City of London has also recently appointed Allies and Morrison Architects and Asif Khan Studio to deliver a multi-million-pound renewal of the Barbican Centre. The Centre forms a key part of the ‘Culture Mile’, the City of London’s cultural district stretching from Farringdon to Moorgate. The ‘Cultural Mile’ includes the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London. It provides a vibrant and creative area with a diverse and international cultural program of concerts, events, and performances.

The apartment is near an excellent selection of pubs and restaurants, including the nearby Smithfield Market, St. John, Luca, The Quality Chop House, and 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), and Moorgate (Northern, Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan Lines). Farringdon Station offers a host of Underground lines (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and Elizabeth Lines) as well as Thameslink services to Gatwick Airport, Brighton and Bedford.

Lease Length: Approx. 82 years remaining (The current owners are currently in the process of extending their lease; more information is available on request). / Service Charge: Approx. £14,400 per annum (includes heating, communal cleaning and gardening plus management maintenance) / Council Tax Band: G