Barbican lunch- London April 2007
The Barbican is a wonderful multi-purpose development near the northern edge of the City of London. Built between 1965 and 1976 on 35 acres of land devastated by bombing during World War II, it was officially opened in 1969 and is now home to 4,000 people. It is also home to the Barbican Arts Centre (the largest performing arts centre in Europe, hosting classical and contemporary music, theatre, dance, film screenings and art exhibitions), a large public library, the Museum of London, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, as well as several restaurants and a girls’ school.
It is London’s principal example of concrete brutalist architecture and is Grade II listed, meaning that it has been designated as being of special architectural interest and may not be externally altered. Some people detest it for its, well, brutalist looks. I adore it for its huge water features, its cascading geraniums from balconies, its traffic-free walkways and secret green oases, as well as the incredible cultural resource 5 minutes from my office.
It’s also a great place to enjoy your lunch, as many of these people are doing.
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