SPPARC architecture and design studio has unveiled comprehensive plans to transform the former Ravenscourt Park Hospital in Hammersmith, London, into a mixed-use residential development featuring 140 new homes, a 65-bed care facility, and public spaces. The historic building, which has remained vacant for two decades, represents one of Britain's most significant examples of early modern architecture.
Originally constructed as the Royal Masonic Hospital and designed by renowned architect Thomas S. Tait, the facility opened its doors in 1933 when King George V presided over the inauguration ceremony. At the time of its opening, the 260-bed hospital held the distinction of being Europe's largest independent acute care facility, specifically built to provide affordable medical treatment for Freemasons and their families. The hospital operated continuously until 1994, briefly reopened as an NHS facility in 2002, but was permanently shuttered in 2004.
The Grade II listed landmark currently appears on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register, highlighting the urgent need for preservation and adaptive reuse. The building's original Art Deco design features minimal ornamentation and distinctive flat roofs, architectural elements that earned it the prestigious RIBA Gold Medal award for Building of the Year in 1933. Beyond its architectural significance, the hospital has secured a place in British popular culture, serving as a filming location for numerous productions including Agatha Christie's Poirot television series in 1989 and 1991, the acclaimed film The Queen in 2006, and the recent biographical drama Back to Black in 2024.
In 2022, developer TT Group acquired the expansive 3.87-acre site and has since been overseeing its recovery and planning for the ambitious residential-led redevelopment project. The proposals, which have received consent from Hammersmith and Fulham Council, demonstrate SPPARC's commitment to celebrating and preserving the site's distinctive architectural heritage while adapting it for contemporary residential use.
The conversion plans showcase how the hospital's former medical wards and treatment blocks will be thoughtfully transformed into modern living spaces, ranging from compact one-bedroom apartments to spacious family units. The residential units will be strategically arranged around the hospital's original layout, maintaining the connection between the three main blocks through their original elevated glass bridges, which themselves represent an important architectural feature of the complex.
A particularly notable aspect of the renovation involves repurposing the building's iconic semi-circular sun balconies for apartment use. These distinctive structures, originally constructed using innovative welded steel techniques, represented a significant advancement in structural engineering when they were built and remain emblematic of the international architectural style that characterized the early 20th century modernist movement.
The development plans also include dedicated amenity spaces designed to enhance residents' quality of life, including modern workspaces, comfortable lounges, and private garden areas. The administrative building that once served as the hospital's main entrance will be converted to house community-use spaces available for public hire, ensuring that the development contributes to the broader neighborhood's social infrastructure.
SPPARC's design approach emphasizes the preservation of key architectural features throughout the complex, including authentic inter-war period interiors and two original Greek-inspired statues that have flanked the main entrance since the building's construction. These historical elements will be carefully refurbished and retained as integral components of the renovated structure.
The redevelopment plans call for the replacement of a 1970s addition to the original site with a new building that will accommodate the 65-bed care home for elderly residents, along with additional residential units. The new structure has been specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with the former hospital campus, employing complementary brickwork and architectural detailing that echoes the original building's aesthetic while meeting contemporary care facility standards.
The overall scheme incorporates thoughtfully designed landscaped pedestrian routes that will connect the various buildings within the development, creating a cohesive and accessible environment for residents and visitors. Significantly, these improvements will open portions of the historically private site to public access for the first time, contributing to the area's walkability and community engagement.
