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Fishmonger's Hall
West Elevation Re-Rendering
In the heart of the City of London, Fishmongers’ Hall stood with quiet confidence along the river its walls carrying centuries of tradition. As a Grade II* listed building and the headquarters of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, it formed part of the living network of livery companies that had shaped the City’s character for generations.
Client
The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, Cbre
Location
London
Grade listing
Grade II*
When the Surface Began to Fail
Attention was drawn to the west elevation, where layers of render covered a brick and stone substrate beneath. While the more recent upper render remained sound, the lower cementitious render had begun to fail, separating from the wall behind it. This deterioration allowed water to penetrate the structure and introduced a growing safety risk that could not be ignored.
Creating Space to Work
To allow the façade to be addressed safely and sensitively, an independent scaffold was erected free from the building itself. This approach ensured access without placing additional stress on the historic fabric.
Reading the Existing Fabric
Before any material was removed, DBR’s draughtsman carefully recorded the existing jointing layout. This documentation preserved the memory of the façade’s appearance and informed every step that followed. DBR craft operatives then began the careful removal of the cement render, working methodically to ensure the underlying brick and stone remained unharmed.
Stripping Back with Purpose
As the render was taken away, trial samples of the proposed new finish were developed in parallel. Working closely with Rose of Jericho, a sand and lime render was formulated to meet the client’s brief achieving a colour and texture that complemented the granite of the adjacent south elevation.
Revealing What Lay Beneath
With the substrate fully exposed, it was recorded in detail by DBR’s draughtsman, adding to the Hall’s historic records. The wall was inspected closely, and minor defects were identified and repaired, ensuring a sound foundation for the new finish.
A Surface Re-Formed
The new lime-based render was applied by DBR’s craft team in three carefully controlled coats. The final layer was finished with a wooden float, giving the surface a softness and texture appropriate to the building’s age and status. Once complete, the finish coat was scribed to replicate the original jointing layout, allowing the elevation to read as it always had.
Once the scaffold was removed, the west elevation appeared renewed, breathable, secure, and visually integrated. The intervention left no visible trace, only the assurance that the Hall’s fabric was stabilised and returned to service within the City’s continual life.
