The History
Barnet House, located in North London, was constructed in the early 1960s as Ever Ready House for the British Ever Ready Electrical Company, later served as offices for the London Borough of Barnet. Known for its mid-20th-century high-rise architectural style, it served as office space for various businesses and local government offices throughout the latter half of the 20th century. In the early 2000s, demand for office space in Barnet House declined, leading to proposals for conversion into residential units. By the late 2010s, a significant development plan aimed to transform Barnet House into a residential building with hundreds of apartments, facing various stages of approval and community feedback. From what I understand the plans were paused in 2017 and then in 2022 were restarted with the site being taken over on 4th March 2024.
The Explore
Thanks to some very luckily found info about access into the site. I swiftly made way in as the streets around the site are very busy and I saw 3 police cars driving by. I made my way up the main staircase looking through each floor as I made my ascent. Unfortunately the building is basically entirely stripped but in good condition with minimal graffiti or broken windows. Despite this the countless floors were very nice especially with the views of north London during the sunset.
The building makes lots of ambient noise and I was constantly thinking someone was right around the corner but luckily I saw no one, I was spotted by an armadillo probably two but no one came even though I did find what looked like a rest area for security. The site was also wired with electricity and some water so it’s possible it’s in use and I just got lucky with the timing. The attached building is scheduled for demolition I believe and as such was fully closed off but I’m sure you could if you wanted to. The views from the roof are stunning, would recommend.
- Odin
Barnet House, located in North London, was constructed in the early 1960s as Ever Ready House for the British Ever Ready Electrical Company, later served as offices for the London Borough of Barnet. Known for its mid-20th-century high-rise architectural style, it served as office space for various businesses and local government offices throughout the latter half of the 20th century. In the early 2000s, demand for office space in Barnet House declined, leading to proposals for conversion into residential units. By the late 2010s, a significant development plan aimed to transform Barnet House into a residential building with hundreds of apartments, facing various stages of approval and community feedback. From what I understand the plans were paused in 2017 and then in 2022 were restarted with the site being taken over on 4th March 2024.
The Explore
Thanks to some very luckily found info about access into the site. I swiftly made way in as the streets around the site are very busy and I saw 3 police cars driving by. I made my way up the main staircase looking through each floor as I made my ascent. Unfortunately the building is basically entirely stripped but in good condition with minimal graffiti or broken windows. Despite this the countless floors were very nice especially with the views of north London during the sunset.
The building makes lots of ambient noise and I was constantly thinking someone was right around the corner but luckily I saw no one, I was spotted by an armadillo probably two but no one came even though I did find what looked like a rest area for security. The site was also wired with electricity and some water so it’s possible it’s in use and I just got lucky with the timing. The attached building is scheduled for demolition I believe and as such was fully closed off but I’m sure you could if you wanted to. The views from the roof are stunning, would recommend.
- Odin
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