Bayer House II
Golden Lane Estate, London EC1
Architect: Chamberlin, Powell & Bon
Register for similar homes“A beautifully preserved apartment in the heart of Chamberlain, Powell & Bon's iconic Golden Lane Estate”
Bayer House lies at the heart of the Grade II-listed Golden Lane Estate, the pioneering project that saw the creation of renowned architectural practice Chamberlin, Powell & Bon. This third and fourth-floor two-bedroom maisonette has been wonderfully preserved and remains true to the architects’ original desires whilst introducing sympathetic modern finishes. The apartment has a wonderful balcony looking out towards the Barbican and the City beyond.
The Architect
In 1951, the City of London ran a competition for architects to submit plans for a scheme to replace buildings destroyed by a night of bombing in December 1940. The proposal was to be called the Golden Lane Estate. Peter Chamberlin, Geoffrey Powell and Christoph Bon all submitted plans and agreed that if one of their practices won, they would form a partnership and work together on the project. Powell won the competition, and thus Chamberlin, Powell & Bon was formed in 1952. After their success with the Golden Lane Estate, the firm was asked to design the Barbican Estate, which arguably became London’s most iconic brutalist complex. For more information on the building, please see the History section below.
The Tour
Discussions are ongoing regarding the upgrading and restoration of the Golden Lane Estate, including the replacement of all windows. Dates for this are yet to be finalised; official estimates from the City of London (March 2023) can be provided upon request.
Bayer House is immediately recognisable within the estate, with pillar-box red and teal panels and white balconies that house the forward-thinking counter-weighted windows that these apartments are known for. Colour played an important part in Chamberlin, Powell & Bon’s early designs, married with the rich wood, concrete and terracotta tiles that they continued to use in later projects.
Internally, the apartment has been wonderfully preserved by the current owners, with a few simple and sympathetic alterations. The kitchen lies to the right of the front door. White cabinetry sits alongside a glass splashback to create a sleek minimalist finish with integrated appliances. A deep island bounds the kitchen and the main living space, removing the original glass partition and heightening the connectivity of these two spaces.
The original lateral parquet flooring has been remarkably well preserved. An open-tread staircase is almost sculptural presence rising at the side of the living room, which is bathed in light from double-height windows that open to the balcony.
Upstairs there are two bedrooms and a bathroom. The main bedroom looks out towards the Barbican and retains the original built-in wardrobes and fixtures and fittings. The second bedroom, painted in rich Bancha Green, is an ensconcing space that overlooks the communal green spaces at the heart of the Golden Lane Estate. The bathroom has been modernised with large form porcelain tiles and a shower – it sits off the landing alongside a utility cupboard.
Outdoor Space
The living area opens onto a balcony, which faces the Barbican shaded by the nearby Silver Birch. There are fantastic facilities for residents, with beautiful communal spaces, ponds, gardens and allotments. Included in the lease are discounted rates at the swimming pool and sports facilities.
The Area
Bayer House is near an excellent selection of restaurants, pubs and bars, including the nearby Smithfield Market, St. John, Luca and The Quality Chop House. Farringdon and Old Street are within walking distance, both known for their excellent restaurants. There is a food market every weekday at nearby Whitecross Street. The Barbican Centre facilities are also within easy walking distance.
Transport links are excellent, with Underground stations at nearby Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines), Old Street (Northern Line), Farringdon (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines) and Moorgate (Northern, Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan Lines). On the imminent opening of the Elizabeth Line, Farringdon will become one of the main Crossrail stations.
Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: approx. 86 years remaining
Service Charge: approx £1,484 per annum
Ground Rent: approx. £10 per annum
Council Tax Band: E
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.
History
“Golden Lane straddles the boundary between the picturesque and the formal, its rectilinear plan and hard landscaping eased by the changes in level, natural materials and circular bastion” – Elain Harwood
By 1951, only 5,000 residents remained in the City of London following the devastation of World War II. Concerned that people working in vital industries such as hospitals and the police force needed housing in the centre of the city, the City of London Corporation announced an architectural competition for schemes to provide new homes. The brief was to provide quality, high-density housing for singles and couples, using economical methods of construction with as little steel as possible – after shortages due to the war. Each apartment was to have heating and hot water included in the rent, and it was stipulated that there should be plenty of natural light. There was to be a community centre, sports facilities and a playground, to encourage a distinct and sustainable community.
One of the most important post-war architectural practices, Chamberlin, Powell & Bon, was born out of this opportunity. Having separately submitted proposals and agreeing that whoever won would join forces with the others, Geoffrey Powell, Christoph Bon and John Chamberlin jointly designed the Golden Lane Estate. Many of the ideas that define their later and better-known project at the Barbican had their genesis in The Golden Lane Estate. The design embraces the urban environment; the blocks look inward over landscaped courtyard gardens, while pedestrian walkways connect the buildings and replace the pre-war road patterns. The celebratory use of bold colours on the outside of the buildings was integral to the estate’s design, and each block has a slightly different take on the combination of colour, concrete and glass.
