In Focus: Original Barbican Estate Sales Brochure

Over time, the Barbican Estate has become a sought-after central London address. This wasn’t always the case. As the buildings came on the market, at worst they were thought of as a desolate bombsite, or at best as a place to work but not live.

People had to be persuaded of the virtues of moving in. With this in mind, the Barbican Estate Office published a range of brochures.

This brochure advertises the Barbican before construction had finished . The cover features an artist's impression of what the finished site would look like.

Although it has lots of familiar buildings, there are differences between this image and the Barbican as it was built.

As the Barbican was still under construction when the residential flats were first advertised, the booklet included drawings showing what the inside of the flats would look like.

This is an artist's impression of a typical living space in a one bedroom Barbican flat. The room has sliding partitions, allowing residents to use the space in different ways.

This kitchen is described as being 'mechanically ventilated, fully fitted with melamine surfaces'

with 'split level electric cooker, refrigerator,

double sink with refuse disposal unit, built-in diffused lighting to working surfaces, adequate electric socket outlets for appliances,

hygienically designed high and low level cupboards, vegetable racks etc.' A streamlined modern kitchen for modern living.