After three years, the historic London home of the Archbishops of Canterbury has finished a major £40 million renovation, its first in over 70 years.

The Lambeth Palace project preserved key features like the Great Hall’s timber roof and upgraded infrastructure, including improved accessibility with ramps, lifts and modern facilities.

The refurbishment also embraced sustainability, installing solar panels, air source heat pumps and energy-efficient windows to help meet the Church of England’s net-zero goals.

In a statement, Michael Minta, director of bishoprics and cathedrals & Lambeth Palace, said: “The refurbishment... ensures it can remain a global base for mission and hospitality for the Church for generations to come.”

However, some critics have shared their concerns about the development online, with one X user writing: “When parishes struggle, benefits are cut, abuse Redress is yet again delayed... spending £40m on refurbishment do stick in one’s craw.”

Another user shared his concerns for the £40m price tag, writing: “It makes you feel sick.”

However, many connected with Lambeth Palace have praised the renovation.

Rev Tosin Oladipo, chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, said: “Lambeth Palace is a place of prayer and worship... we are delighted this refurbishment means Lambeth can continue to fulfil this role.”

Architect Stephen Smith noted the challenge of blending historic preservation with modern upgrades, saying: the work “appears as if we’d never been there at all.”

A spokesperson for the Church Commissioners told Premier: “Lambeth Palace was in urgent need of substantial repairs to bring its heating, electrics and plumbing up to modern standards – there was a high risk of a catastrophic failure of these systems. The palace has also been made more accessible for staff and visitors with disabilities, and its energy supply has been made much more sustainable. This refurbishment was the first in nearly seventy years – and was funded entirely by the Church Commissioners. As well as being a nationally significant historic site, Lambeth Palace is crucial to the ministry of Archbishops of Canterbury, the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion. The Commissioners have a responsibility to maintain it as a place of prayer, hospitality and service to the Church.”