An Artist's Impression of the Barbican

Watercolours advertising the Barbican

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

The City of London Conference and Arts Centre

When the Barbican was due to open in 1982, it was sometimes advertised as a conference centre with an arts centre attached.

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

In the Barbican Archive we have a booklet which was created to advertise the Barbican's business facilities.

It showcases beautiful watercolours of the Barbican to entice people to book their conferences in the Centre.

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

The Barbican Hall and Cinema 1 are featured as key venues.

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

Along with the Barbican's many well-equipped meeting rooms in Frobisher Crescent.

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

Spaces in the Guildhall School of Music and Drama are advertised

as well as the Barbican Theatre.

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

One of the key areas available were the Exhibition Halls - vast spaces designed for trade conferences and events. The Halls are no longer in use.

We can guess that the booklet was created before the Barbican had been fully built. This is in part due to the use of paintings instead of photographs

and because the text refers to many of the Barbican's venues in the future tense.

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

A vision of the Conservatory is included as a unique spot for hosting refreshments and banquets.

Barbican Conservatory by Max ColsonBarbican Centre

The Conservatory looks quite different today.

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

In this helpful overview map of the Barbican's business facilities

the Conservatory is even described primarily as a restaurant.

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

Reaching an international audience

When the Barbican opened, it aimed to attract an international audience to our arts and business spaces in the heart of the City of London. This booklet includes a map showing where the Barbican is in London.

Barbican Centre Brochure: The City of London Conference and Arts Centre one of the World's greatest business meeting places. Barbican Centre BrochureBarbican Centre

Reaching an international audience

And listings for overseas British tourist offices - connecting the Barbican to the world.

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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