Major Conservation Project Taking Place High Above Londoners’ Heads Coming to a Close

The scaffolding currently encasing Marble Arch – one of London’s most iconic landmarks – will soon be removed to reveal the structure in all its glory after many months of cleaning and restoration by English Heritage. The major project, made possible by funding generated through advertising on a special ‘shroud’ surrounding the arch during the works, is the first to be carried out since the Arch was last restored 19 years ago in 2004. The advertising was facilitated and secured by Ocean Outdoor.

An inspection of one of the intricate sculptures high upon English Heritage’s Marble Arch. © David Parry/English Heritage

Originally designed by John Nash in 1827 as the state entrance to Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch was relocated to its current site in 1851, and since then, time and the elements, as well as traffic fumes – owing to its busy location at the intersection of Park Lane and Oxford Street – have taken their toll. Although the core structure of the Arch is brick in mortar and cement, the gleaming white surface is Ravaccione marble, sourced in quarries in the mountains of Italy, and is fragile and vulnerable to changes in temperature and moisture. This fragility has resulted in a loss of pointing on important joints, cracking and general discolouration, as well as some damage caused by graffiti.

Now, important restoration undertaken by specialists has seen the roof completely replaced to prevent any water damage, its original lanterns have been repaired, intense cleaning has taken place at the highest levels, and new marble, specifically sourced from Italy, has been used to repair intricate sculptures which had been damaged over time. Over the next month, as the scaffolding is removed, further cleaning will take place at the lower exterior levels of the Arch, including repairing the doors and conserving the gates.

The work is scheduled to last until the summer when all scaffolding and fencing will be removed and the iconic architectural masterpiece – repaired and protected – will be revealed once more to the public. This vital conservation programme is made possible by advertising revenue generated by media owner Ocean Outdoor. Ocean Outdoor erected a purpose-built sleeve which shrouded the 19th Century arch during the English Heritage project and was then offered to advertisers.

Marble Arch, London.