Temple Bar
Paternoster Square, London, EC4M

Client: Corporation of London
Architect: Freeland Rees Roberts
Main Contractor: CWO
Quantity Surveyor: Davis Langdon Everest
Material: Portland Whitbed & Portland Basebed

Temple Bar was originally constructed in 1650 to define the boundary between the City of London and the City of Westminster. The Corporation of London has re-sited the gates to form a new entrance to Paternoster Square in the City.

SCWO was the main contractor on this Grade I listed Portland Stone conservation led project consisting of cleaning, restoration and stone repairs. In a delicate operation that took 72 weeks, the gateway was dismantled, stone by stone, and rebuilt at the newly redeveloped Paternoster Square opposite St Paul’s Cathedral.

Four original statues depicting monarchs were re-instated following conservation and repair.

Albion Stone supplied Portland Whitbed and Portland Basebed for the sympathetic conservation and repair of this last surviving gateway to the city built by Wren.

At the Natural Stone Awards 2006, this project won the ‘Repair and Restoration’ Award.
Judge’s Comments: “A glorious return to the City after a very long absence has been enhanced by the work being beautifully executed. The art of restoration has been exemplified with this project at a point where there is a boundary between new and old.”