As phase 1 of RCP North begins to gather pace, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has revealed designs for its new iconic building in Liverpool.
Designed by AHR Architects, it will incorporate features that directly relate to positive health and wellbeing. The RCP will occupy half of the 140,000 sq ft building – following its completion by construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall.
The £35 million development will occupy a prime position in the heart of Paddington Village, part of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool). With large, open-air spaces and flexible floor plates, the new building will enable RCP fellows and members across the north to meet and work collaboratively.
RCP president Professor Jane Dacre said:
We are extremely grateful for the way in which we have been welcomed and encouraged to set up our northern base in Liverpool, and for the generous support that has been offered from the key organisations to make this possible.
To have made this much progress in such a short amount of time demonstrates the dynamism of the Liverpool organisations in driving collaboration to support healthcare, education and science.
Phase 1 is already underway, with the bespoke fitout progressing, and a small team of people are now occupying the space in the William Henry Duncan building, part of the University of Liverpool's central campus.
Janet Beer, vice chancellor of the University of Liverpool and chair of KQ Liverpool, said:
Inspired by the desire to provide services closer to its northern fellows and members, the Royal College of Physicians is entering an exciting new chapter of its incredible 500-year history by setting up a centre of clinical excellence in Liverpool.
RCP North has been made possible by a series of strong and generous partnerships between Liverpool City Council (LCC), the University of Liverpool, KQ Liverpool and Liverpool Health Partners.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:
The signing of RCP North was a key moment for KQ Liverpool and underlined the international importance of the site. I’m delighted to see the RCP are creating a building befitting the aspirations and ambitions we all have to make KQ Liverpool a world leader in its field and a major engine of the city’s economy.
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chairman of Liverpool Health Partners and former president of the RCP, commented further:
We are delighted to see the RCP’s inspirational journey to the north gather pace. Since spearheading the successful bid to bring RCP to Liverpool City Region we would like to congratulate all partner organisations for their hard work in making phase 1 and phase 2 happen.
Next year we look forward to celebrating 500 years of the RCP and we will continue to implement the £2 billion, 5-year plan that will see Liverpool City Region’s Knowledge Quarter become a global leader in the fields of biomedical science, research and education.
Follow @RCPLondon on Twitter for the latest news about #RCPNorth.