FLEET STREET
City of London

Fletcher Crane Architects were engaged in the refurbishment and facade restoration of 187 Fleet Street - a Grade II listed former bank - in the heart of the City of London. Adjoining St Dunstan-in-the-West Church, the building, constructed in 1834, sits as part of the historic fabric of Fleet Street. The facade refurbishment works included the cleaning and repairing of various elements including; the Gault brickwork, the Portland stone, the bowed oriel windows, the moulded friezes and lead entrance pediment. Stone balustrades and decorative elements which adorn the parapets of the mansard were also refurbished. These balustrades, featuring intermediate pilasters and coping stones with ornate finials, also include intricately carved lions.

In addition to works to the building, the pavement vaults were also refurbished which consisted of three distinct sections spanning the entire width of the front facade, reaching up to or near the Fleet Street highway. Originally designed for coal delivery and storage, the coal holes are now not visible and have been upgraded and tanked appropriately. Away from the facade, at roof level, M+E equipment has been carefully re-housed in a slatted contemporary timber structure.

When working on the building with such rich history, we recognise our role as guardians, ensuring that these structures are sustainably refurbished ensure a further hundred years of use by occupants.