The construction firm Walter Lilly has successfully completed the first major renovation of Lambeth Palace in over seven decades. The £40 million infrastructure and re-servicing project represents a substantial investment in modernizing the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury while maintaining its architectural heritage dating back to the 12th century.

The comprehensive renovation program encompassed extensive structural and cosmetic improvements throughout the historic complex. A centerpiece of the project was the restoration of the Great Hall’s timber roof, which had sustained damage during World War II. Specialist carpenters employed traditional joinery techniques to ensure both structural integrity and historical authenticity in the restoration work.

The scope of work included replacing 1,450 square meters of timber flooring, cleaning and repairing 800 square meters of historic stonework, and completing internal decoration across more than 13,500 square meters. These efforts were undertaken while the Palace remained operational

During groundworks for new service installations, the project team uncovered archaeological remains that provided insights into the site’s history, including 500-year-old structural walls, clay pipes, and early drainage infrastructure, highlighting the Palace’s continuous occupation and development.

The renovation plans were designed to meet the CoE’s goal to achieve carbon net-zero by 2030. A new energy center was installed featuring three air source heat pumps as part of the sustainable heating strategy. The project included the replacement of 160 windows with double-glazed units designed from 19th-century drawings to maintain historical accuracy while improving energy efficiency.

Chris Butler, managing director at Walter Lilly told Construction Management magazine: “The completion of the reservicing works at Lambeth Palace represents a major milestone in the conservation and modernisation of one of the UK’s most treasured historic buildings”. He noted the particular challenges of working within an occupied building while managing archaeological discoveries during underground installations.

The successful completion of this project demonstrated how historic buildings can be thoughtfully modernized to meet contemporary sustainability standards, Butler said, while preserving their cultural and architectural heritage.