Giving Covent Garden Dental Practice a New Lease of Life
- Miles Khan
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
We were recently instructed to redecorate and give a much-needed facelift to the front of Covent Garden Dental Practice in Odhams Walk, right in the heart of Covent Garden. Interestingly, the frontage hadn’t been touched since the practice was first set up, so it was well overdue some care and attention.
This wasn’t just about fresh paint, the goal was to restore and improve the appearance while respecting the character of the estate the practice sits within.
Initial Meeting & Project Requirements
We met with the practice manager, Reena, who took us through the areas that needed attention and explained the key requirements of the project. The most important factor was that everything had to match the existing look as closely as possible. This was written into the lease, as the practice forms part of a residential estate where visual consistency is essential.
On top of this, we had to be mindful that the dental practice is a busy, fully operational business. Patients were coming and going throughout the day, and due to noise restrictions we could only carry out works during their opening hours. This required careful planning, consideration and a tidy, respectful approach at all times.
We gave the job an estimation of 5 days to complete.
Stage 1 – Upper Lintel Repair
We began work at the top, addressing a long-standing issue caused by a leak from the balcony above the practice entrance. Over time, water had penetrated the structure and rotted the concrete lintel, leading to visible deterioration and potential structural concern.
To rectify this, we:
Hacked out all damaged and loose concrete
Prepared the area thoroughly
Repaired the lintel using a mix of sand, cement and ballast
Repainted the upper and lower lintels in black to match the existing design
This restored both the appearance and integrity of the entrance area.
Stage 2 – Lower Lintel & Sill Reconstruction
Next, we removed the lower metal sills – and uncovered quite a surprise. The concrete lintel beneath was completely worn down, uneven and unsupported. Even more concerning was the fact that the previous installers had used makeshift materials such as wood, metal rings and miscellaneous debris to prop up the sills.
We corrected this properly by:
Taking back all damaged concrete
Relevelling the area using a sand and cement mix
Installing a UPVC Single Leg Fascia board, which we highly recommend for this type of application (https://www.selcobw.com/single-leg-white-mammoth-fascia-board)
This provided a clean, durable and professional solution that will last for years to come.
Stage 3 – Frontage Preparation & Redecoration
Once the structural repairs were complete, we moved onto the decorative side of the project. Given the lease requirements and surrounding estate aesthetic, accuracy and finish were essential.
Works included:
Masking off all windows to protect glass and frames
Sanding down all metal framework to remove old, flaking paint
Applying an initial primer coat
Following up with a professionally colour-matched brown, all-weather metal paint
Removing the entrance door from its hinges and repainting it for a full, even finish
This ensured the frontage looked refreshed while still blending seamlessly with the rest of the estate.
Additional Repairs
During the project we also identified damage to ventilation fittings and surrounding fixtures. These were repaired and reinstated as part of the works, improving both appearance and functionality of the frontage.
The Final Result
Despite the detailed work involved and the challenges of working around a busy dental practice, the project was completed in just 4 days, ahead of the original 5-day programme.
The transformation was subtle yet impactful – clean, smart and professional, while still fully in keeping with the residential estate’s character. The clients were fantastic throughout, and we thoroughly enjoyed working with Reena and the entire team at Covent Garden Dental Practice.
A Job We Truly Enjoyed
This was a project we genuinely loved being part of. It combined structural repair, careful restoration and detailed finishing, all under tight restrictions and constant foot traffic. The end result speaks for itself – a refreshed, durable and visually consistent frontage that now reflects the high standards of the practice inside.
