020 3005 2873
Facade and Stone Cleaning Works – St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London
Project Overview
In October 2024, MGS Restoration Ltd were honoured to undertake specialist façade and stone cleaning works at the historic St Mary’s Hospital, located on Praed Street, Paddington, London W2 1NY.
Founded in 1845 and opened in 1851, St Mary’s Hospital is one of London’s most significant teaching hospitals, recognised internationally for its medical history and architectural heritage. The hospital is closely associated with major milestones in medical science, including Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928, and is also widely known for the prestigious Lindo Wing, associated with royal births.
The project involved the full cleaning of the hospital’s historic Portland stone façade using our DOFF Integra 3 superheated steam cleaning system, along with cleaning of natural stone architectural details and terrazzo elements throughout the building exterior.
The works covered the front elevation and side returns of this important listed structure, extending from lower ground floor level to roof level.
Project Details
Location: St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, Paddington, London W2 1NY
Project Date: October 2024
Service: Facade and Stone Cleaning
Materials: Portland Stone, Natural Stone, Terrazzo
Building Type: Historic Hospital / Listed Building
Project Type: Heritage Façade Cleaning and Restoration
The Challenge
As one of London’s most historically important medical buildings, St Mary’s Hospital required a highly sensitive approach to façade cleaning and stone restoration.
Years of environmental exposure, pollution, biological growth, and general weathering had affected the appearance of the Portland stone façade and surrounding architectural stone elements. Due to the historic nature of the building, all cleaning methods needed to preserve the integrity of the original materials while safely removing contamination and surface staining.
The scale of the building, extending from lower ground floor level to roof level, also required careful planning and coordination to ensure all stone surfaces were cleaned consistently and safely.
The Restoration Process
DOFF Integra 3 Superheated Steam Cleaning
MGS Restoration carried out a full façade clean using the DOFF Integra 3 superheated steam cleaning system.
This specialist cleaning system uses high-temperature steam at low pressure, making it ideal for historic stone buildings where gentle but effective cleaning is required. The process safely removes dirt, atmospheric pollution, algae, and biological growth without causing damage to the Portland stone surface.
The cleaning works covered the entire front elevation and side returns of the building.
Portland Stone Cleaning
The hospital façade is primarily constructed from Portland stone, a material widely used in historic London architecture.
Our team carefully cleaned the Portland stone from lower ground floor level through to the roofline, restoring the natural colour and character of the stone while preserving the historic surface.
The cleaning process significantly improved the overall appearance of the building while maintaining the integrity of the original masonry.
Natural Stone Element Cleaning
In addition to the main façade, MGS Restoration cleaned a variety of natural stone architectural details throughout the project area.
These included decorative stonework, mouldings, entrance details, and other historic stone features that contribute to the building’s architectural character.
Terrazzo Cleaning
As part of the project, our team also cleaned several terrazzo elements associated with the building. The terrazzo surfaces were carefully restored using specialist cleaning techniques designed to preserve the original finish while removing dirt and staining.
Materials and Techniques Used
-
DOFF Integra 3 superheated steam cleaning system
-
Portland stone cleaning techniques
-
Specialist heritage façade cleaning methods
-
Natural stone cleaning and restoration
-
Terrazzo cleaning techniques
-
Conservation-approved restoration practices
The Results
The completed cleaning works successfully restored the appearance of the historic Portland stone façade and surrounding architectural features at St Mary’s Hospital.
The DOFF steam cleaning process removed years of environmental staining and biological growth, revealing the natural colour and texture of the stone while preserving the historic fabric of the building.
The cleaned façade now presents a brighter and more refined appearance, enhancing the architectural significance of this important London landmark.
MGS Restoration were proud to contribute to the preservation and ongoing maintenance of one of London’s most iconic historic medical buildings.
Historic Facade Cleaning in Paddington
This project highlights the importance of specialist cleaning techniques when working on historic and listed buildings. By using conservation-sensitive methods such as DOFF steam cleaning, MGS Restoration successfully restored the appearance of St Mary’s Hospital while protecting the integrity of its historic stonework.
Contact MGS Restoration
If your building requires professional façade cleaning or natural stone restoration, our experienced team can help.
MGS Restoration Ltd provides specialist stone cleaning and restoration services across London, working with Portland stone, terrazzo, marble, limestone, and other natural stone materials in residential, commercial, and heritage buildings.
Contact us today to discuss your project or arrange a consultation.
Address
MGS Restoration ltd
167-169 Great Portland Street,
5th Floor,
London,
W1W 5PF
Phone
020 3005 2873
