Royal Liverpool Hospital site cleared and primed for revival
The old hospital’s final building, an 11-storey ward block, has been razed by DSM Demolition, priming the plot off Mount Vernon Street for its large-scale healthcare-led regeneration.
University Hospitals Liverpool Group is working with the University of Liverpool to make good on its plans for Health Innovation Liverpool, a major investment in the area.
Health Innovation Liverpool aims to bring together healthcare and private sector partners to utilise the city’s health and life sciences assets, in addition to budding artificial intelligence and data science companies.
Requiring an investment of £550m, the scheme could generate returns of £1bn GVA to the city region, according to those delivering the project.
The plans concern the plot of the old Royal Hospital Liverpool, which has been replaced on a neighbouring site, opening its doors in 2022.
Health Innovation Liverpool will consist of a future training facility for clinicians, a centre of excellence in health and life sciences research, and a Pandemic Preparedness and Response Facility to mitigate the impact of future outbreaks.
The scheme could bring 2,700 long-term knowledge-intensive jobs to the city, as well as 800 jobs during construction.
DSM’s completion will also further an application lodged to the city council by the Steve Morgan Foundation for the build of a Maggie’s cancer care centre on nearby Prescot Street.
Rugby-based HB Architects has designed the care building, the third time the practice has worked on a Maggie’s facility.
DSM Demolition is to remain on site until October this year, work is still required to remove foundations and tunnels to prepare the ground.
This summer, BAM Construction will begin work on an extended podium and two-way entrance across the old site, from Mount Vernon Street to Daulby Street. Work on the entranceway is scheduled to finish in Q3 2026.
James Sumner, chief executive of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, said: “Demolishing the old site in such close proximity to the new Royal and neighbouring buildings has been a complex project and reaching this milestone is a significant achievement.
“The immediate work we have planned for the extended podium entrance will make a real improvement to how people access the site.
“Further redevelopment is subject to planning and funding, like any new building work, and we are working closely with partners to develop a masterplan that will have the health and wellbeing of our patients and local communities at its heart.”
Having some tall residential buildings and commercial office space would help to bring a lot of activity to that area
By Stuart wood
Hopefully we aren’t watching the weeds grow for years like we are with the long mooted hemisphere site nearby which still looks nowhere near starting
By Anonymous
It’s sobering to see the Royal Liverpool Hospital, barely half a century old, razed to the ground, a stark reminder of how short-sighted some architectural and planning decisions can be. The original building, a classic example of brutalist concrete, never truly integrated with its surroundings or stood the test of time.
As we look ahead, I hope those involved in the new development will prioritise longevity, sustainability, and genuine community benefit over architectural ego. It’s crucial that the new facilities enhance both the neighbourhood and the city for generations, rather than repeating the mistakes of the past.
Regarding future contractors, I hope all delivery partners will be held to the highest standards of quality, transparency, and long-term responsibility throughout the construction process.
By LordLiverpool
Multi storey car park is desperately needed and should be a priority to replace the one which was demolished for a business park.
By Anonymous
Another public consultation and task team timescale 25 years
By Anonymous