The Archway Campus is currently up for sale

Published: 13 June, 2013
by TOM FOOT

PROPERTY developers are hailing a “landmark development opportunity” after a huge swathe of publicly owned land used as a medical teaching campus since the NHS was founded was put up for sale.

The Archway Campus – a 3.5-acre site with six large buildings that are used by the Whittington and University College London – features in a glossy brochure from Deloitte’s Estates.

A July 10 deadline for offers on the Highgate Hill freehold has surprised neighbours.

The brochure says: “The sale of Archway Campus presents a rare and exciting opportunity to acquire a landmark freehold interest in Archway.

“The island site has potential for refurbishment and educational use, or comprehensive development and conversion to provide an exceptional residential-led scheme.”

The Holborn Union Infirmary, as it was first known, opened in 1879 and was designed by Henry Saxon Snell. Locally listed, it became part of Whittington Hospital in 1948, the year the NHS was founded.

Known as the Archway Wing, it was sold 50 years later to Middlesex University and UCL which has run its post-graduate training in the medical school and dozens of offices spanning six major blocks.

The Whittington also leases space for training inside the building.

Designs suggested in the brochure raise the possibility of mass demolition on the site with imposing blocks of ­luxury homes replacing the former medical school and NHS facility.

After an inspection earlier this year, small-scale retail and commercial uses have been given ­initial approval.

Sian Minett, head of satellite estates at UCL, said: “Parts of the grounds and buildings are in a poor state of repair and a substantial level of investment is required to update the campus to an acceptable standard.

“The relocation of our respective activities will cause considerable disruption to colleagues who occupy the campus and we will do our utmost to minimise disruption to their day-to-day operations.”