01/07/2026
A building with a name rooted in London’s story.
The Barbon Buildings, 14–17 Red Lion Square, take their name from Nicholas Barbon, one of the most fascinating figures in the history of London’s built environment.
A physician by training, Barbon became one of the city’s most ambitious property developers after the Great Fire of London. He played a major role in shaping London’s westward growth, developing streets, houses and squares across areas including Holborn, Bloomsbury and the Strand.
He was also an early pioneer of fire insurance, helping to introduce new ways of protecting buildings at a time when London was still rebuilding and rethinking how the city should work.
Red Lion Square itself was laid out by Barbon in the 1680s, giving this part of Holborn a history that connects architecture, enterprise, resilience and reinvention.
Today, The Barbon Buildings continue that story in a new way: characterful period buildings, thoughtfully restored and adapted for modern businesses.
We believe a workspace should offer more than a place to sit. It should have personality, flexibility and a sense of place, and The Barbon Buildings have all three.
If you would like more information on these offices, get in touch: [email protected]
