Client
Hilton Hotel Group
Value
£800k
Sectors & Services
Buildings Repairs & Refurbishment Concrete Repair Condition Surveys Coatings Anchors/Remedial Ties Cleaning & Preparation External Façade Refurbishment Projects
The Hilton London Metropole, constructed in 1972 and designed by renowned architect Richard Seifert, is one of the tallest buildings in Westminster and a prominent feature of the London skyline. The Tower Wing façades are formed from large format shaped concrete panels, rendered and finished with tesserae mosaic tiles.
Over time, areas of concrete, particularly to panel corners on the north-east elevation, began to delaminate, posing a risk to the busy Edgware Road below. Following investigations by CRL Surveys in 2021, significant defects were identified, prompting the need for specialist concrete repairs to ensure public safety and preserve the building’s architectural integrity.
Services undertaken
- Detailed testing and condition investigations
- Development of repair specifications and quantities
- Early contractor involvement and technical support
- Design and coordination of complex temporary works
- Installation of heavy-duty gantry and high-level scaffolding
- Concrete repairs to façade panels
- Bespoke texture-matched repair finishes
- Render retention testing and engineering advice
- Installation of stainless steel Helifix CemenTies
- Steam cleaning using the Doff system
- Full façade coating with Keim Soldalit Mineral Paint
Repairs to an iconic London landmark
Built in 1972 by the noted architect Richard Seifert, the Hilton London Metropole is one of the tallest buildings in Westminster. Richard Seifert was also responsible for Centre Point and Tower 42 (formally the NatWest Tower).
The Northeast and Southwest elevations of the Tower Wing part of the hotel are clad in large format, shaped, concrete panels fixed to the main structure. The concrete panels were rendered and had an external finish of tesserae (textured mosaic tiles). Some years ago, in was noted that pieces of concrete (mainly on the corners) on the Northeast elevation had started to delaminate. A protective fan was erected over the busy pavement on Edgeware Road as a precaution.
In 2021 CRL Surveys were engaged to carry out a programme of testing and investigation works to the Tower Wing and East Wing of the building to assess the type and nature of the defects. A detailed report was produced and Concrete Repairs Limited (CRL) were approached by the Contract Administrator to put together a specification for pricing and assist with the assessment of quantities and scope. After a long and involved tender/negotiation process, and a lot of informal ECI, CRL were awarded the project in April 2022.
The Temporary Works required to access the building were significant and necessitated bringing in our sister company, Samuely Consulting Engineers, as checking engineers for the ground conditions and scaffold. A heavy-duty gantry was erected to bridge the pavement and subway entrances and a 36-lift boarded scaffold with stair tower was erected above. The tallest scaffold ever erected by CRL! Licencing was also complex as the scaffold is on a TfL Red Route. The scaffolding was supplied and installed by Tone Scaffolding Services.
Whilst the scaffolding was being erected, a bespoke repair specification was produced by CRL’s Site Manager in conjunction with Fosroc to ensure that the finished repairs met the performance specification and matched the surrounding tesserae. An excellent texture-matched finish was achieved, and the final product is testament to the skill of the site team!
During the course of the repair works it was noted that besides the areas that required traditional concrete repairs, there were additional hollow-sounding areas of render. Engineers from ARUP Consulting Engineers were commissioned to provide advice on the render retention.
Helifix (manufacturers of helical wall ties, fixings & masonry repair systems) were called in to conduct pull off tests to the concrete structure and render. Once the results were evaluated CRL, as a Helifix approved installer, were instructed to install circa 9000, 8mm diameter, 170mm long Stainless steel Cemen-Ties building in a 400mmx 400mm pattern across the entire East Wing façade.
To mask the visual impact of the holes, CRL were instructed to coat the entire East Wing façade of the Tower Wing with Keim Soldalit. The existing surface was steam-cleaned using the Doff cleaning system.
CRL was awarded the contract in April 2022 after a detailed tender and early contractor involvement process, working closely with the contract administrator and project team to define scope, quantities, and repair strategy. Access to the Tower Wing presented a major technical challenge. Temporary works were extensive and included the erection of a heavy-duty gantry spanning the pavement and subway entrances, supporting a 36-lift boarded scaffold with stair tower. This represented the tallest scaffold ever erected by CRL and required complex licensing arrangements due to its location on a TfL Red Route. Tone Scaffolding Services supplied and installed the scaffold, with Samuely Consulting Engineers appointed as checking engineers for the scaffold and ground conditions.
In parallel with access installation, CRL developed a bespoke repair specification in collaboration with Fosroc. This ensured repairs achieved the required performance while matching the existing tesserae finish. Concrete repairs were undertaken to defective panels, with careful attention to achieving a high-quality texture-matched appearance.
During the works, additional hollow-sounding areas of render were identified beyond the originally defined repair zones. ARUP Consulting Engineers were engaged to advise on render retention solutions. Helifix carried out pull-off testing on the concrete substrate and render, informing the final remedial approach. As an approved Helifix installer, CRL installed approximately 9,000 stainless steel CemenTies, 8mm in diameter and 170mm long, arranged in a 400 mm by 400 mm grid across the East Wing façade to provide secure long-term retention.
To address the visual impact of the fixings, the entire East Wing façade was treated with a Keim Soldalit mineral coating. Before coating application, the surface was carefully steam cleaned using the Doff system, ensuring adequate preparation while protecting the existing fabric.
"Would just like to say that the team who conducted the works at the Hilton London metropole were amazing! The project was handled in a swift and timely manner by Patrick and his crew. We would always welcome Patrick back as he was a pleasure to work with, a great communicator and the all-round politeness within the team was fantastic!"
Adam Little | Assistant Chief Engineer | Hilton London Metropole
The project delivered far more than localised defect repairs, providing a robust, long-term solution aligned with best-practice asset management. Through expert planning, early collaboration, and technical leadership, CRL addressed safety risks while enhancing the durability and resilience of the façades.
The combination of concrete repairs, render retention, and full façade coating reduced future maintenance requirements and extended the service life of this landmark structure.
Complex temporary works and live urban constraints were managed safely and efficiently, maintaining operational continuity on one of London’s busiest routes. The outcome reflects CRL’s professionalism and capability in delivering complex structural repairs UK projects to a high standard, safeguarding an iconic building for the future.
