Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is a performing arts centre in the Barbican Estate of the City of London, England, and the largest of its kind in Europe. The centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory. The Barbican Centre is a member of the Global Cultural Districts Network.
| Address | Silk Street London, EC2 United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51.5202°N 0.0950°W |
| Public transit | Barbican Farringdon Moorgate |
| Owner | City of London Corporation |
| Designation | Grade II |
| Type | performing arts centre |
| Capacity | Barbican Hall: 1,943 Barbican Theatre: 1,156 The Pit: 200 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1982 |
| Architect | Chamberlin, Powell and Bon |
| Website | |
| barbican | |
The London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra are based in the centre's Concert Hall. In 2013, it once again became the London-based venue of the Royal Shakespeare Company following the company's departure in 2001.
The Barbican Centre is owned, funded, and managed by the City of London Corporation. It was built as the City's gift to the nation at a cost of £161 million (equivalent to £480 million in 2014) and was officially opened to the public by Queen Elizabeth II on 3 March 1982. The Barbican Centre is also known for its brutalist architecture.