Barlanark was developed in response to the city's post-war housing need: In 1952/53 over 2300 three & four apartments tenements there were also 5 apartment semi- detached house's, and 3 apartment terraced house's built, next to the Estate of Barlanark House which was constructed by David Hamilton in 1822, demolished in 1954.

These tenements were characterised by brick balconies and although once under local authority control many are now under co-operative ownership. The main schools of the area included Barlanark primary school, Sandaig Primary school and St Jude's Primary school. Barlanark Primary has been merged with Sandaig.

The site of Barlanark primary was demolished for a new Catholic primary school called Our Lady of Peace primary school, which replaces St Judes Primary where houses are currently being built.Barlanark Greyfriars Parish Church is located at the junction of Edinburgh Road and Hallhill Road. It is the local Church of Scotland parish church.

Since the 1980s, the area has seen large amount of development with most of the 1950s tenements replaced by housing cooperatives. Barlanark has changed over the years after the re-generation program with most houses being upgraded. Well-known people from Barlanark include the former footballer Pat Nevin and Pat Fairley, from the pop group Marmalade. Others include the Hibs football player Steven Dobbie, Partick Thistle player William Howie, various members of the Group Scheme and Michelle O'Brien who stars in the TV show River City.