Plans have been submitted to Westminster City Council for Paddington Hub, a major new clinical life sciences building adjacent to St Mary’s Hospital, marking an important milestone for London’s life sciences ecosystem.
Designed by global architecture practice HOK, the team behind the Francis Crick Institute, the proposals will deliver a highly flexible, purpose-built environment for clinical research, trials and emerging health technologies. Located on the former Imperial College Medical School site, the development is being brought forward under a collaboration agreement with St Mary’s Hospital.
Paddington Hub is designed to support the full pathway from discovery to patient care, enabling clinicians, researchers, patients and industry partners to work side by side within a single integrated setting. When operational, the development is forecast to support up to 1,845 on-site jobs, with a further 2,350 net additional jobs across London, and generate £238–£282 million in annual economic activity.
Alongside its research and innovation role, the proposals place a strong emphasis on skills, access and local benefit. The scheme includes education and engagement space, apprenticeship and early-career pathways, and opportunities for Westminster residents, alongside active ground-floor uses that improve connections between Praed Street, Norfolk Place and the wider hospital estate.
The planning submission follows extensive engagement with Westminster City Council, the Greater London Authority, local stakeholders and community groups, including two phases of public consultation.
David Miller, Director at Bartlet Asset Management, said:
“Paddington Hub represents a significant investment in Paddington’s future and a once in a generation opportunity to create a world class clinical life sciences hub next to St Mary’s Hospital. It will drive economic growth, support new jobs and strengthen the UK’s health innovation sector. By bringing researchers, clinicians and patients together, we can accelerate new treatments, improve outcomes and create meaningful opportunities for local people. We are grateful to everyone who has helped shape the proposals and look forward to continuing our engagement as the application progresses.”
The scheme follows extensive engagement with Westminster City Council, the Greater London Authority, local stakeholders and community groups, including two phases of public consultation last year.
David Weatherhead, Design Principal at HOK, said:
“We have designed a high-quality, sustainable life science building adjacent to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington for researchers, patients and the public. The facility will provide much-needed specialist space for clinical life sciences. Its adaptable design is intended to be resilient to change, fostering critical breakthroughs by promoting a bench-to-bedside process. Co-locating patients and researchers improves efficiency and refines the clinical trials process. We are delighted this vital building is a step closer to reality.”
Hedry’s role
Hedry is acting as public affairs and engagement advisor, leading the strategic interface between planning, politics and community. Our role focuses on shaping a clear engagement strategy, building early confidence with public sector partners and local stakeholders, and positioning the proposals within Westminster, London-wide and national policy priorities.
Working closely with the wider project team, we are helping to de-risk the planning process by aligning technical proposals with stakeholder expectations, supporting consultation and briefing materials, and ensuring the scheme’s economic, skills and community benefits are clearly articulated. This work supports a confident and well-informed planning process as the application progresses.
Paddington Hub represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a flagship clinical life sciences building next to St Mary’s Hospital, brought forward under a collaboration agreement with the Trust, strengthening the UK’s position in translational health research while delivering tangible benefits for the local community.
Project team
- Client: Cohort / Bartlet Asset Management
- Project and Landscape Architect: HOK
- Townscape & Heritage: Tavernor Consultancy
- Planning Consultant: DP9
- MEP, Sustainability, Transport & Environment: Ramboll
- Public Affairs & Engagement: Hedry
- Fire Consultant: OFR
- Structural Engineers: AKT II
- Arboricultural Consultant: TMA
Find out more at www.paddington-hub.co.uk.
Renderings by Factory Fifteen
