This article recounts the chequered history of the Barbican redevelopment in the City of London, exploring its origins, planning, and implementation, together with its changing reputation. The Barbican is an interesting example of a modernist housing scheme, comprising multi-storey flats and social facilities set within a pedestrian precinct, something relatively unusual in the British context. The scheme was originally conceived in the 1950s as a publicly funded alternative to the rapid expansion of private office development and was pushed through in the 1960s by the City Corporation acting as its own developer. Subsequently, the whole project became mired in controversy and technical difficulties, and, as a result, on completion, few viewed it favourably. However, with urban regeneration again on the political agenda since the 1990s, the Barbican's image has improved, and it is increasingly recognized as one of the more notable achievements of British post-war modernism.