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Marble Arch
Refurbishment of Marble Arch
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Marble Arch is one of London’s most recognisable landmarks. Designed by John Nash in 1827, the monument was conceived as a ceremonial gateway, its classical form and sculptural detail announcing arrival into the city. Over nearly two centuries, Marble Arch has become both a historic artefact and a living part of London’s urban landscape, standing amid constant movement and change.
Its prominence, exposure, and location make its care as demanding as it is important.
Client
English Heritage
Dates
Until 2025
Location
London
Grade listing
Grade I
Fabric
Marble
The Beginning of a Long Relationship
DBR’s association with Marble Arch began in 2006, through a major conservation scheme that set the foundation for an enduring partnership. During these works, DBR carefully repointed the monument’s masonry, reinstated broken and missing architectural details, and carried out the bronzing of the gates and lanterns. Pigeon-proofing measures were also discreetly installed to protect the stonework from long-term damage.
This project established DBR as a trusted custodian of the monument—one capable of combining conservation expertise with the realities of working on a highly visible, live public site.
Cleaning with Care, Not Force
The current phase of works focuses on detailed external and internal fabric cleaning using a Thermatec steam cleaning system. This gentle, low-pressure approach allows contaminants to be removed without damaging the stone’s surface or historic patina.
Particular care is taken when cleaning Marble Arch’s intricate sculptural elements. DBR’s craftspeople assess each area individually, adjusting techniques to respond to varying stone conditions and levels of ornamentation.
Repairing the Details That Define It
Alongside cleaning, DBR’s masons are undertaking stone indent repairs and sculptural repairs where deterioration has occurred. These interventions are designed to be precise and sympathetic, reinstating strength and legibility without erasing age or character.
Metalwork across the site, including gates, lanterns, and doors, is also being carefully cleaned and repaired, maintaining the visual coherence of the monument as a whole.
The works extend to the monument’s most elevated and detailed features. All column capitals are undergoing meticulous steam cleaning, consolidation, and repair, work that demands both technical skill and a deep understanding of classical detailing.
These final interventions ensure that Marble Arch continues to be read as it was intended: as a complete and carefully composed architectural statement.
