New designs have been published for the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington as Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust pushes ahead to upgrade its crumbling estate.
St Mary’s, which has some of the oldest buildings in the NHS, is inviting patients, staff and the wider community to comment on the proposal, with the intention of submitting a planning application to Westminster City Council in spring 2027.
The redevelopment, the designs for which have been progressing in stages, will deliver a new 800-bed teaching hospital and major trauma centre alongside an expanded life sciences campus.
Services will be brought together in a taller building, around 30 storeys, which will have a smaller footprint than the current hospital, freeing up space for upgrades to other parts of the estate.
Professor Julian Redhead, chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “St Mary’s has an extraordinary history of care and medical breakthroughs across nearly 200 years, from the discovery of penicillin to becoming one of the country’s first major trauma centres.
“But much of our estate is now very old and increasingly difficult to maintain, with building failures an increasingly regular occurrence despite spending millions every year on essential maintenance.
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to create a new hospital that meets the needs of our patients, staff and communities and regenerate the whole site into an expanded life sciences campus, attracting jobs and investment.”
Parts of St Mary’s date back to 1845, making them older than the NHS, and are in a state of disrepair.
When the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited in 2025 the challenges the Trust was facing were evident, from rusty pipes and leaks to patched flooring.
Despite its need, Imperial’s three hospitals, including St Mary’s, are in the final tranche of the Government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP), meaning much-needed works are not expected to be completed until the 2040s.
The Trust is hoping that by developing its own application, with funding from the NHP alongside alternative sources, a new hospital may be deliverable by 2035.
Designs for the proposed scheme have already undergone two rounds of consultation, with a third now being launched.
The updated plans include the integration of research facilities into clinical areas, clear and welcoming arrival and drop-off points, and flexible spaces, enabling the hospital to respond to future crises such as pandemics.
The 14th floor of the hospital will be the sky lobby, which the Trust says will connect the main clinical zones as well as spaces “for rest and reflection”, such as the sky garden and café.
The masterplan for the wider site will also see the expansion of the Paddington Life Sciences campus, a hub of businesses centred around St Mary’s.
Independent evaluation estimates this could create between 9,000 and 11,000 additional jobs and generate up to £1.3bn more a year in economic activity.
Two new green public spaces are proposed, Mint Square and Canalside Square, with heritage buildings including the Grade II-listed Clarence Memorial Wing to be retained and restored.
Imperial is running a series of public exhibitions and community pop-up events as it seeks feedback on its latest designs.
An online webinar is also to be held, plus an online survey and a consultation hub in Paddington Square.
For further details visit the Imperial website.
Professor Redhead said: “We have been hugely encouraged by the conversations we’ve had with local people, patients and staff so far. Your feedback has already helped shape the designs, from improving access and movement around the hospital to creating greener and more welcoming public spaces.
“I encourage everyone to take a look at the latest designs and share your views. Whether you use the hospital, work nearby or live in the local community, your feedback will help shape the next stage of the plans.”
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