Leisure at the Barbican

The Barbican was designed as a neighbourhood - as well as places to live, it included places to eat, shop and relax. The idea was that residents should have everything on their doorstop, while still living close to their workplace.

The gardens of the Barbican were intended to recreate the feeling of squares found around London.

After relaxing in the gardens, residents would have been able to take a short stroll to the local shops.

The existing shops around the Barbican area, such as this one on Goswell Road, were featured as an attraction for prospective flat buyers

And new shops were proposed for the Barbican site. Here is an artist's impression of the shopping arcade alongside Lauderdale Tower. Some of the shops are still open today, including a grocery shop and a hairdressers.

The Barbican's architects also imagined restaurants being part of the site. There is no restaurant under Lauderdale Tower today, but there is still one pub by the lake and restaurants in the Centre.

The Barbican Estate was also advertised as being able to use the leisure centre and swimming pool situated on the neighbouring Golden Lane Estate.

The prospect of a world class arts centre on your doorstop would have been a draw for many people moving into the Estate in 1969. However, they would have to put up with the construction work for another thirteen years - as the Centre did not open until 1982.