Andrewes House, Barbican, London

“Large picture windows capture intimate views of one of the country’s most celebrated architectural landmarks”

This exquisite one-bedroom apartment sits beneath podium level on Andrewes House, on the southern edge of the iconic Barbican Estate. A coveted Type 16EHS apartment, it is defined by the elegant proportions and quintessential minimalism typical of the estate. Retaining its original mid-century character, the apartment unfolds naturally across bright, airy spaces, with uninterrupted views over the Barbican’s renowned Water Gardens.

The Estate

The Barbican Estate is the celebrated brutalist achievement of the architects Chamberlin, Powell & Bon. It was Grade II-listed in 2001 in recognition of its extraordinary contribution to London’s architectural landscape. Completed in 1969, Andrewes House was part of Phase III of the City’s building programme for the Barbican site.

The Barbican Estate was built with over 100 distinct apartment types; this is a sought-after Type 16EHS, set beneath podium level. Andrewes House runs along the southern side of the lake, from the bridge to the waterfall at its eastern end. Being on the ‘front to back’ block, the apartment has the reception room looking north toward the lake and the bedroom facing south toward Fore Street.

The Tour

The apartment is accessed from the podium level via a set of stairs or a lift. The front door opens directly to the centre of the apartment, a bright hallway that flows effortlessly between an open-plan living space on one side, and a bedroom on the other.

The living room is grounded by a full-height glazed window with spectacular views that cement the apartment’s location. Positioned opposite the Water Gardens, preserved sightlines are directed towards the Barbican’s staggering architecture; neighbouring apartments with lush, draping balconies and, in the foreground, the raised gardens with their signature brutalist ‘half-pipe’ fountain.

Neat shelving and book-lined joinery is incorporated throughout the apartment, while white resin flooring with underfloor heating runs underfoot.

The kitchen sits adjacent, joined to the living area by a hatch that allows natural light to flood through. Designed by Thompson Brothers, crisp white cabinetry is paired with horizontal strips of frosted glass above, and appliances are fully integrated.

At the rear of the plan is a generous double bedroom, delineated from the hallway by a designated dressing area. Secondary glazing has been installed alongside built-in shelving which is washed in pale blue.

The bathroom sits between the bedroom and the kitchen and has been sensitively updated while preserving its original details, including the Barbican’s iconic DTiles.

Outdoor Space

Barbican residents have access to numerous sprawling private gardens around the estate. Andrewes House forms the southern boundary of the Barbican’s Water Gardens with direct access to the sunken gardens and the raised podium, which overlooks the Lakeside Terrace. A waterside walkway joins Andrewes House to Speed Garden on the opposite side, complete with its own playground. Slightly further along the walkway is the larger Thomas More Garden.

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 cafes. The Guildhall School of Music & Drama (ranked in the world’s top three for Performing Arts and top four for Music) is also nestled between the arts centre and Speed House, just opposite Andrewes House.

The apartment is near an excellent selection of pubs, restaurants and bars, including the St. John, Luca, The Quality Chop House, and Exmouth Market. Whitecross Street also has a food market every weekday. Spitalfields and Borough Market are also easily reached on foot. 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-minute walk away, while Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines), and Farringdon Station provide a host of Underground lines (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and Elizabeth Lines) as well as Thameslink services to Gatwick Airport and easy links to Heathrow. Liverpool Street station is a 10-minute walk away and services the East from Cambridge to Essex.

Tenure: Leasehold / Lease Length: 170 years remaining / Council Tax Band: E / Service Charge: approx. £6000 per annum