dMFK’s restoration and extension of Salters’ Hall has secured the future of this extraordinary brutalist building in the City of London.

Designed for The Salters, an ancient livery company, Salters’ Hall was a hidden institution. The failing fabric of the Grade II Listed building, unfashionable architectural style, and dark, concealed location meant that the Company was losing both commercial office tenants and bookings for its beautiful hall.

dMFK’s restoration involved making delicate incisions and additions throughout to repair Spence’s original structure, including the update and replacement of all services. These interventions improved Salters’ Hall EPC rating from an F to a B and achieved BREEAM Excellent – a significant win.

We relocated the original entrance from a hidden undercroft to a different side of the building, which has turned Salters’ Hall to face the newly revealed London Wall Place Gardens – the largest piece of new public realm in the City of London since The Barbican. The arrival is marked by a new entrance pavilion extension.

The solid, white pavilion extension joins Spence’s original seamlessly, formed using in-situ concrete and glass. Whilst clearly contemporary, it takes cues from the original building, such as aluminium finned decorative solar shading referencing the wood panelling in the original ceremonial hall.

The project completed in May 2016 and was immediately fully let. It won a series of architectural accolades, including an RIBA Award, the City Heritage Award and the Company of Chartered Architects City of London Building of the Year Special Livery Award.