Restoration of St Barts Hospital’s grade I-listed North Wing completed
Our completed restoration of the Grade I-listed North Wing at St Bartholomew’s Hospital marks the renewal of one of London’s most treasured historic landmarks.
The heart of Britain’s oldest hospital still providing care on its original site, the North Wing has been carefully conserved and adapted, with spaces within now accessible to the public for first time in its 300-year history
This ambitious project has been made possible through the generosity of numerous donors and funders, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Work commenced in January 2024 and reached completion this month, coinciding with the hospital’s 900th anniversary.
Designing for continuity and care
Our approach has been guided by the belief that this building embodies both architectural and social continuity.
The project celebrates the North Wing’s extraordinary historic and cultural significance while introducing new facilities that reinforce its relevance to the 21st century. Central to this has been the idea of care: not only the medical care synonymous with St Bartholomew’s, but also the care we owe to heritage, craft, and community.
The revitalised wing has been conceived as a bridge between past and present: a serene and uplifting environment where patients, staff, and local residents can participate in wellbeing programmes, cultural events, and learning opportunities. The renewed spaces connect the hospital more closely with the City of London’s Cultural Mile, creating a dialogue between heritage and health.
Conserving the historic interiors
Among the historic interiors in the hospital, the Great Hall and Hogarth Stair demanded exceptional sensitivity. Conservation teams stabilised William Hogarth’s monumental paintings and complemented their vibrancy with newly designed carpets echoing the original colour palette.
The Great Hall’s intricate wood panelling, plasterwork, and decorative detailing, much of which had deteriorated over time, were meticulously repaired using traditional techniques.
During the works, an innovative scaffolding system allowed over 3,000 visitors to view conservation in action, deepening public engagement with the craft processes behind the restoration.
The North Wing can now act as a year-round public asset. Its reconfigured spaces will host activities ranging from heritage learning to health and wellbeing sessions, reflecting the project’s central theme of care as a unifying human value. The building’s adaptive reuse ensures that it remains both a sanctuary and a social catalyst within its urban context.
