Royal London Hospital (RLN05)

Clients: Barts & the London NHS Trust

Author: Nick Bateman

Site supervisor: Andrew Westman

MoLAS is currently undertaking the systematic recording of standing buildings at the Royal London Hospital on Whitechapel Road, prior to a long programme of redevelopment and improvements at the hospital.

The RLH occupies an extensive site, comprising about 50 distinct buildings. The oldest buildings of the hospital were erected on this site from 1755 onwards, and several of the buildings are statutorily listed as being of special architectural or historic interest (Grade II). In addition most of the site is in a conservation area. Barts and The London NHS Trust is to redevelop the hospital, entailing demolition of some buildings and substantial alterations to others.

The primary purpose of MoLAS' work there is to secure preservation by record of those buildings and parts of buildings that are of architectural and historic interest, and which are to be demolished or substantially altered. The main aims are to investigate and analyse the physical fabric of the existing buildings, record them to an appropriate level of detail, illustrate evidence for construction, development and use, and take account of documentary sources for the history and use of the buildings.

Not all buildings are affected by the redevelopment. Of those that are, individual buildings are being recorded at differing RCHME (Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England) 'levels'. Buildings being recorded at Level 2 or above include the Main Building, the 'Grocers' Wing,, the West and East Wings, the 'Old Home', Holland House, Alexandra House, Edith Cavell House, the Pathology Institute, the swimming pool, the laundry, and the Eva Luckes' Nurses Home. This work will comprise a combination of drawn plans, elevations and photographs.

This site report is extracted from MoLAS 2005: annual review