Victoria Station Facade

Overview

The restoration of the brickwork has regenerated this historic station.

Victoria Station is the second busiest railway terminus in the UK. Originally, Victoria Station was a combination of 2 railway stations which merged in the 1850’s when Victoria Station, named after Victoria Street (not Queen Victoria), became known as the Southern Railway Company. The Kent side buildings were constructed of Portland stone with a further elevation added later, constructed with brickwork and detailed stucco to enhance its architectural appeal.

Scope

A full list of works is outlined as follows:

Careful removal of the existing canopy structure, including safe dismantling and disposal, ensuring no damage to surrounding historic fabric.
Full restoration and refurbishment of three elevations, incorporating comprehensive cleaning, repair, and reinstatement works.
Extensive façade cleaning works, including: Removal of approximately 1,000m² of existing paint using specialist ‘Peel Away’ systems, brick cleaning to restore original finish and remove surface contaminants, and stone cleaning.
Specialist repair works to historic materials, including: Localised stone repairs to damaged and deteriorated areas, stucco repairs to reinstate detailing and repair cracks or defects, and general façade making-good.
Application of high-quality external decorations to all treated surfaces, in line with heritage requirements and approved finishes.
Replacement of 25 roof areas, and roof repairs where required, ensuring all structures were watertight and fit for long-term use.
Close liaison with heritage stakeholders, with all installation and restoration methodologies pre-agreed to ensure full compliance with conservation and heritage requirements and the protection of the building’s historic integrity throughout the works

Challenges & Solutions

After initial survey and award of contract it was decided that a traditional design and build scaffold would be required to gain access to restore all external facades.

Scaffold was erected out of hours due to public highways restrictions following which a complex programme detailing the refurbishment was initiated.