Ambitious plans for Whitechapel
Ambitious plans are afoot to redevelop land near The Royal London and create an integrated healthcare, housing and amenity campus in the heart of Whitechapel.
The project, part of the new Barts Life Sciences Cluster, supports our efforts to create a world-class centre for life sciences research and innovation next to the hospital.
Covering almost a million square feet, it offers the long-term prospect of extra capacity, including research facilities and office accommodation as well as affordable homes for key workers and new green spaces for the local community.
Details are set out in a planning application submitted to Tower Hamlets borough council by the landowners, the global real estate management firm BGO, with the support of the trust.
If approved, the plans could contribute £1 billion a year to the UK economy and bring £750 million of investment into Whitechapel over the next decade. The scheme is also predicted to create more than 1,300 jobs.
A key feature is the prospect of a new building in the block to the south of the hospital, replacing our Ashfield Street offices, John Harrison House, and Princess Alexandra House. This could include offices, flexible workspaces for life sciences companies, public space, and amenities for NHS staff.
The proposed development also includes over 500 new homes, including refurbished terraces, with a mix of private apartments, affordable homes, and accommodation for key workers. Philpot Street and Walden Street would become accessible green routes through a landscaped site with trees and gardens.
Shane DeGaris, group chief executive of Barts Health NHS Trust said: “This is an exciting example of how we are working with local partners to bring much-needed investment into Whitechapel and regenerate the area around our flagship teaching hospital, The Royal London. The potential benefits for our staff, patients and their local communities are enormous.
"We will continue to work closely with BGO and others in the Barts Life Sciences Cluster to attract industry and turn our research into life-changing clinical practices and products for our patients.”
The application envisages demolition on the site could start in 2027, subject to approval by the council, with construction taking place in stages over ten years. We will consult with those staff affected in good time about arrangements to relocate them in the meantime.
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