{"id":19695,"date":"2020-10-23T14:39:28","date_gmt":"2020-10-23T13:39:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/?p=19695"},"modified":"2021-06-01T00:08:24","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T23:08:24","slug":"empty-floors-open-spaces-and-unused-stairs-a-look-around-a-deserted-barbican-centre-in-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/empty-floors-open-spaces-and-unused-stairs-a-look-around-a-deserted-barbican-centre-in-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre &#8211; in photos"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-01.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Owned, funded and managed by the City of London Corporation, the Barbican Centre performing arts centre was officially opened to the public by Queen Elizabeth II on 3 March 1982, and is re<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">nown for its striking brutalist architecture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>I paid a visit earlier this week, and it was sad to see that the coronavirus pandemic seems to be really hitting visitor numbers, with the place being pretty much deserted.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-02.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Although opinions remain sharply divided over the Brutalist architecture of the adjacent Barbican Estate, there&#8217;s no doubt that it makes for a striking landscape &#8211; although trying to navigate your way across the elevated walkways can be a real pain.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-03.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Constructed in an area<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"> devastated by World War II bombings, t<\/span>he Grade II listed brutalist estate is an upmarket residential complex of around 2,000 flats, maisonettes, and houses.<\/p>\n<p>The estate also contains three of London&#8217;s tallest residential towers, at 42 storeys and 123 metres (404 ft) high, with the top two or three floors of each block comprising of three penthouse flats.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-10.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s some views taken around the deserted Barbican Centre.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-11.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-12.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-13.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-14.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-15.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-16.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-17.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-18.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-19.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-20.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-21.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-22.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-23.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-24.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-25.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-26.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-27.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-28.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-29.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-30.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-31.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-32.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-33.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-34.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-04.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-05.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-06.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-07.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-08.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/images\/barbican-centre-09.jpg\" alt=\"Empty floors, open spaces and unused stairs: a look around a deserted Barbican Centre - in photos \" \/><\/p>\n<p>This blaze of colour passed me by.<\/p>\n<h4>Join in with the forum discussion<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.net\/forums\/threads\/the-barbican-estate-whats-your-verdict.273713\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Barbican estate &#8211; what&#8217;s your verdict?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.net\/forums\/threads\/photos-of-old-aldgate-barbican-before-ww2.263724\/\">Photos of Old Aldgate\/Barbican\u00a0before WW2<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.net\/forums\/threads\/the-barbican-i-hate-it.170705\/\">The\u00a0Barbican\u00a0&#8211; I hate it!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Owned, funded and managed by the City of London Corporation, the Barbican Centre performing arts centre was officially opened to the public by Queen Elizabeth II on 3 March 1982, &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":19696,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1765,194,456,17,193],"tags":[199,361,1439,2398,2399,10,1195,809],"class_list":["post-19695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art","category-london-features","category-news","category-photos","category-places","tag-architecture","tag-barbican","tag-barbican-centre","tag-barbican-estate","tag-brutalism","tag-london","tag-photos","tag-street-photography"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/barbican-centre-01.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pQI7P-57F","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19695"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19697,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19695\/revisions\/19697"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}