Scarborough Group has bolstered its life sciences portfolio with acquisition of the Old Medical School on the Leeds General Infirmary site.
Since being selected as the preferred bidder for the property by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in May 2024, SGI has been operating under an exclusivity agreement to develop its plans for the historic building’s ambitious redevelopment into a cutting-edge Health Tech Innovation Hub.
As a key component of the city’s new Innovation Village, the 75,000 sq ft building will be designed to support Health Tech innovation activity around Leeds Teaching Hospitals’ Innovation Pop Up, alongside start-ups, established industry players, academic institutions, government initiatives and community organisations.
Featuring co-working spaces, meeting rooms, event areas, offices and laboratories, the hub will be a catalyst for collaboration to advance scientific research into practical healthcare solutions, driving economic growth and improving patient care.
By integrating historic architecture with contemporary innovation, the hub will cultivate creativity, collaboration and technological advancements that will shape the future of healthcare within Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire region.
Simon McCabe, Chief Executive of SGI, commented: This is an exciting time for SGI as we further strengthen our commitment to the UK’s life sciences sector, supporting the Government’s vision of building a world-leading healthcare system and life sciences hub. The sector holds enormous potential to drive economic growth and significantly improve health outcomes for thousands of people across the UK and we’re proud to contribute to this transformative impact.”
Professor Phil Wood, Chief Executive at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I am delighted that we are taking this next step forward in the redevelopment of the Old Medical School. This grand, historic building will be transformed into a leading Health Tech Innovation hub that Leeds will be very proud of. It is an exciting element of wider plans in this part of the city to create an Innovation Village that will transform health and life science-led development, as well as complementing the building of a new state-of-the-art hospital on the Leeds General Infirmary site.
“The hub will provide a brilliant environment for innovation that will have a direct impact on patient care for decades to come.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “As the home of NHS England and Europe’s largest teaching hospital, Leeds is a global magnet for health innovation, ranking in the top five most attractive cities in the world for Health Tech firms.
“Now, with the rollout of our multi-million pound Investment Zone helping to bring projects like the Old Medical School forward, our region is fast-becoming the beating heart of the world’s Health Tech sector.
“By bringing together our universities and clinicians with business and investment, we’ll drive the development of lifechanging technologies, grow our economy, and build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.”
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “The new hospital will be a beacon of innovation, accelerating the work done to date delivering our vision to stimulate innovation that delivers measurable impact towards a healthier, greener and inclusive future for all, and forming a key part of our £1.5 billion Innovation Arc and our wider regional Investment Zone.
“The progress on this project further strengthens Leeds’s position as a leading Health Tech Hub and is a real win for the city, patients and a testament to the power of our collaborative efforts.”
Property advisors Fox Lloyd Jones have supported LTHT throughout the Old Medical School marketing, developer selection, negotiation and disposal process.
ENDS
Photo caption: Left Mark Jackson, SGI representative; Right Prof Phil Wood, Chief Executive at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Notes to Editor
Scarborough Group International (SGI):
SGI is one of the UK’s most active, privately-owned, property regeneration and placemaking specialists. Over the last six decades, we have grown from a UK based Real Estate company into a global organisation with an award-winning portfolio of projects.
As a family-led business we put places, people, businesses and relationships first. Our mission is to create inspiring spaces for people to live, work and enjoy. We curate the built environment to support the wellbeing of the occupiers leaving a lasting and positive impact on the communities, stakeholders and environment.
About Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust:
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest and busiest acute hospital trusts in the country. We are the local hospital for Leeds and provide specialist services for our local communities, the Yorkshire and Humber region and beyond.
This means that people in Leeds have access to some of the very best care in the country and benefit from a seamless provision of all services.
We play an important role in the training and education of medical, nursing and dental students, and are a centre for world-class research, innovation and pioneering new treatments.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals has a budget of more than £1.9 billion and a 21,000-strong staff. Last year, we treated more than 1.6 million patients, including 97,000 inpatient admissions, 1.2 million outpatient attendances and 344,000 attendances in our Emergency Departments.
Our care and clinical expertise is delivered from seven hospitals on five sites, and they are all joined by our vision to be the best for specialist and integrated care.