Global serviced residence owner-operator, The Ascott Limited, has completed the renovation of Citadines Barbican London and partnered with Sourced Market to open their first location in a serviced residence. One of six properties in Central London, it aims to lead the way in providing a more holistic approach to apartment living for its corporate, leisure and long stay guests.
The company’s renovation seeks to enhance the guest experience further and responds to the growth of Silicon Roundabout, the continued historical and cultural nature of the area, and increasingly entrepreneurial community that stay at the Citadines Barbican London.
Rebecca Hollants Van Loocke, Ascott’s General Manager UK, Germany and Georgia, said: “The Barbican area is rich with history, arts, and technology and we hope that our newly revamped Barbican property reflects that, as we want our guests to experience the city as if they lived there. We are confident that the re-designed space, new partnership with Sourced, and vibrancy of the local area combined will provide our guests with the comfort, privacy and flexibility they need for an unforgettable stay”.
The property, originally built in the 1980s, has nine fully refurbished one bedroom apartments and 120 studios, 74 of which include kitchenettes containing microwaves, hobs, crockery, utensils, and large surface tops which can also double up as work stations. Every room has free Wi-Fi, a flat screen television and newly equipped air conditioning and heating units. Additionally, the rooms now provide handy smartphones, an integrated mobile device that provides residence information and free data for guests’ usage while they’re in London.
For guests who don’t have time to cook, the collaboration with Sourced Market will allow access to fresh, seasonal and sustainable meals and products from artisan producers such as Dalston Chillies, Billy Franks, Quello, Jarr Kombucha, Crosstown Doughnuts and Origin Coffee. The independent food and drink market has opened at Citadines’ property at 7-21 Goswell Road to offer both guests and the public a range of fresh breakfast, lunch, dinner and drink options.
Sourced Market founder, Ben O’Brien said: “We are pleased to partner with Citadines Barbican, a sustainable company which fits perfectly with our ethos. Our partnership will enable us to provide their guests and the local community with fresh healthy breakfasts and food, cheese and charcuterie platters, craft beer and wine in the evening, as well as a selection of grab and go meals to bring back to their apartment.”
The renovation has taken inspiration from the Barbican area, with the artwork drawing on Smithfield’s Market and gothic maps, symbolising the history of the area, used as flooring in the bathrooms.
Guests will also have access to amenities including a new exercise room and a business corner with a PC and printer access.
The renovation includes water saving initiatives and light fixtures controlled using the room key. Ascott is committed to the environment and has achieved the ISO 14001 Environmentally Management System, and holds silver and gold accreditations in the Green Tourism Award.