Trafalgar St James Hotel – Bronze Restoration

London, England

Project Overview

Bronze restoration at Trafalgar St James Hotel London formed a key part of the renovation of the Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar and surrounding lobby areas. The aim was to restore existing satin brass and bronze features rather than replacing them, helping preserve original fittings while aligning with the hotel’s new interior design scheme.
Our team was commissioned to restore:

Satin brass at the main reception
Bronze features throughout the Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar
Additional brass and bronze elements within guest-facing interiors

The objective was to revive tarnished and worn metal surfaces so they could be retained, avoiding the cost and disruption of full replacement. The restored elements needed to complement the updated colour palette and interior finishes introduced during the refurbishment.

Duration	5 days
Finish Achieved	Satin brushed brass with wax protection and a rich dark bronze patina
Materials Used	Abrasives, polishing pads and mops, polishing compounds, Bronze Solutions, Renaissance Wax
Team Involved	Antony, Imhammed, Wojciech, Ryan

Craftsmanship and Materials

The restoration was carried out entirely on-site using:

Mechanical polishing by hand
Controlled abrasive refinement
Gradual reintroduction of satin sheen and bronze depth
Protective waxing to preserve finish quality

Each surface was restored carefully to ensure an even tone and smooth brushed texture. Consistency was essential so that all fittings tied seamlessly into the redesigned scheme.

On-Site Challenges & Considerations

Many of the metal surfaces were severely tarnished, and full replacement would have been costly and time-consuming. Our restoration needed to:
Bring the metalwork back to a “like-new” condition, Match the updated interior design palette, Avoid disruption to hotel operations and guest access.
Working in an active hospitality space required clean, controlled and quiet processes.

What the Client Said

The client was highly satisfied with the final result and the cost savings achieved by restoring rather than replacing.
Since completion, we have continued to support the hotel with monthly maintenance to preserve the external bronze panelling and complete occasional touch-up restoration as required.

Final Result & Special Notes

The project successfully reinstated the character and quality of the hotel’s existing metal features, aligned with the refreshed Rockwell Bistro interior. Ongoing maintenance ensures the bronze and brass elements retain their depth and finish, supporting the hotel’s high-quality guest experience.