Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has appointed Stanhope and Allies and Morrison to lead the masterplanning and design application for the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, with a focus on life sciences, healthcare innovation and long-term economic impact.

The nine-acre site, which includes infrastructure dating back to 1845, is set to be transformed into a state-of-the-art teaching hospital and major trauma centre, alongside the further expansion of the surrounding Paddington Life Sciences cluster. The masterplan aims to support over £15 billion in economic activity and create up to 15,000 jobs over the next decade.

Stanhope, known for major urban regeneration projects such as BBC Television Centre and Oxford North, will oversee the planning process, while Allies and Morrison leads masterplan design. HOK continues as hospital design architect, supported by a broader team including Savills, Gillespies, LCA and Gardiner & Theobald.

The redevelopment is intended to enable modern clinical services to be housed in a more efficient and flexible facility with over 800 beds—around 25% more inpatient capacity than the current estate. Once the new hospital is completed on the east side of the site, surplus land will be released for development, further supporting the life sciences cluster and helping offset build costs.

The project plays a central role in the vision for WestTech London, the west London innovation corridor anchored by Imperial College London. It also builds on St Mary’s track record of medical breakthroughs, with embedded research and education facilities included in the hospital design.

Paul Eaton, partner at Allies and Morrison, said the masterplan would integrate the new hospital into its urban context while strengthening links with innovation and health partners. David Camp, CEO of Stanhope, added that the redevelopment would “bring science, community and opportunity together.”

A separate planning application has already been submitted for the Fleming Centre, a research and engagement hub to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Designed by Stanton Williams, the centre is due to open in 2028 as part of the centenary of penicillin’s discovery at St Mary’s by Sir Alexander Fleming.

Despite inclusion in the Government’s New Hospital Programme, long-term capital funding for the main hospital redevelopment remains uncertain. The Trust has secured funding to complete the design and planning phase but estimates that construction will not begin before 2035 unless alternative financing routes are found. A taskforce has been established to explore funding options and accelerate delivery once planning consent is achieved.

Public consultation on the draft masterplan is scheduled to begin in February 2026, with a planning application expected by spring 2027.