We were proud to undertake a complex and historically significant three-phase project for University College Hospitals Charity at the Grade II-listed Middlesex Hospital Annex, involving careful demolition, structural preservation, extensive external fabric repairs, and the final conversion of the buildings into high-quality residential apartments.
University College London Hospital Charity
Contractor Administrator Contract Value£18.5m
Contract Start DateMay 2023
Contract End DateJuly 2024
We pride ourselves on the diversity of projects we deliver, and sites don’t come with more historic interest than the complex contract we are currently undertaking for University College Hospitals Charity (UCLHC) at the Middlesex Hospital Annex, formerly the Strand Union Workhouse.
This is a historic site in Fitzrovia which comprises eight buildings, all varying dates of construction with the earliest, dating back to between 1775 and 1778, being used as a workhouse for the parish of St Paul, Covent Garden. The site was subsequently modified and became the Strand Union Workhouse in c.1836. After further construction it became the Central London Sick Asylum in 1873.
In 1913 further expansion took place at the site and it was used as the Cleveland Street Infirmary. The site was then acquired in 1924 by the Middlesex Hospital and used as the Outpatients department from 1926 until 2006 when the hospital closed. The site has remained mainly vacant since then. The main building on the site, The Workhouse, was listed as Grade II in 2011.
Research revealed that Charles Dickens, who lived nearby, used the workhouse as the inspiration for his 1837 novel ‘Oliver Twist’. In addition, following a severe outbreak of cholera in the summer of 1854, Florence Nightingale was transferred from a hospital in Harley Street to work at the Middlesex Hospital.
The project was delivered across 3 phases:
We delivered a complex design and build residential project for Sapphire Independent Housing in West London, constructing 15 new homes across six constrained garage sites—11 to Passivhaus and 4 to Low Energy standard—using sequential phasing, prefabricated components, and Just-in-Time logistics under a JCT D&B contract with Sectional Completion.
We were proud to undertake a complex and historically significant three-phase project for University College Hospitals Charity at the Grade II-listed Middlesex Hospital Annex, involving careful demolition, structural preservation, extensive external fabric repairs, and the final conversion of the buildings into high-quality residential apartments.
The project involves refurbishing and fitting out the first floor of an occupied building in Canary Wharf to create medical facilities, with construction developed from RIBA Stage 4 to Stage 5 and strict adherence to healthcare design standards. Key challenges include designing access for heavy MRI equipment, coordinating complex MEP services in tight spaces, managing noise and storage restrictions, and maintaining rigorous quality controls under a strict Permit to Work regime.
A design and build scheme to provide 8 two bedroom apartments on former derelict land, for affordable rent, with gross internal area of some 780m2
We undertook this challenging design and build contract for the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham on the Springvale Estate in Porten Road and the outcome has been fantastically well received by the Council and the new residents
This design and build project for the London Borough of Enfield, involved the re-development of three garage sites to provide 12 new homes for affordable rent and a surface car park for 24no. vehicles.
