Willoughby House III, London EC1

This impeccable Type 105 apartment sits in Willoughby House, part of the iconic Barbican Estate. Sympathetically renovated by Rozeman Architects, a considered palette of materials carefully reflects the original, mid-century fabric of the building. Two private terraces are perfect for sitting out, while the shops, restaurants and bars of Shoreditch, Clerkenwell and Hoxton are all within easy reach.



The Estate



Chamberlin, Powell and Bon designed the Barbican Estate after their success with the neighbouring Golden Lane Estate. Built to replace buildings after World War II, the Barbican is now lauded as a masterpiece of brutalist architecture. There were over a hundred flat types when the Barbican Estate was built.



This apartment is a rare 105 type that only relates to 8 other homes in the estate. It is also the largest penthouse in the Willoughby House.



The Tour



Entry to the apartment is on the fifth floor, which opens onto a generous cloakroom. Steps lead up to a bright open-plan kitchen, living room and dining area, bathed in natural light care of a wall of original timber-framed glazing with access to an outdoor terrace. West-facing, this room receives the best of the afternoon and evening sun.



A half-wall partition with warm Sapele delineates the kitchen, fitted with sleek stainless steel cabinetry and an eggshell-blue Lacanche range cooker. The dining area sits opposite, with bespoke joinery, a dining table and bench seating. Grey resin flooring flows throughout the apartment, adding a sense of continuity. A useful WC lies in the hallway with an original Barbican sink.



Stairs ascend to the sixth floor, occupied by two light-filled bedrooms. Both are illuminated by glazing stretching across the width of the room. A shared bathroom with a bathtub sits adjacent, replete with crisp white tiles.



The principal bedroom is found on the top floor. A kaleidoscopic stained-glass window crowns the top of the barrel-vaulted ceiling alongside narrow ribbon glazing and sliding doors onto a private terrace. All three bedrooms are oriented to the east, capturing abundant morning light and particularly beautiful sunrises.



Outdoor Space



This apartment has two balconies: one on its lower level and one accessed from the main bedroom. The views are exceptional, and there is plenty of space to arrange potted plants.



One of the original intents of the Barbican plan was to provide an enclosed green sanctuary for those who lived there. As a result, residents have access to 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 this home's doorstep and has a theatre, an art gallery, a concert venue, cinemas, and several bars and cafés. There is also a convenient Nuffield fitness and wellness centre on the estate.



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 within walking distance.



Transport links are excellent. Moorgate (Northern, Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan lines) is approximately a 5 minutes walk away while Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines), Old Street (Northern line), and Farringdon Station offers a host of Underground lines (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and Elizabeth Lines) as well as Thameslink services to Gatwick Airport. The Elizabeth Line at Liverpool Street is also in close proximity.



Tenure: Leasehold / Lease Length: approx. 170 years remaining / Service Charge: approx. £8,148 per annum / Ground Rent: approx. £10 per annum / Council Tax Band: G