The new facility, which will boast 48 bedrooms, four state-of-the-art operating theatres and 28 consultation rooms, will specialise in cardiology, cardiac surgery, oncology and orthopaedics, as well as providing physiotherapy and diagnostics.

Nuffield Health has partnered with Barts Health NHS Trust – leasing the former pathology and residential staff quarters buildings – to give patients access to experienced and skilled consultants, supported by cutting-edge technology in comfortable, welcoming surroundings, while providing access to a wealth of great resources. The £65-million building will also complement the services provided by the 150 GPs in its catchment area, who can refer patients to the new hospital.

And that’s not all that this new medical facility has going for it; the former pathology building was made famous by the BBC Sherlock series, in which Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, jumped from the window of the building in a feigned suicide leap – though the building has more or less been demolished, the façade has been retained.

In addition, the matching Portland stone being used to build the new facades was selected to reflect the historic importance of the site and its surroundings – namely the adjacent Grade 1 Listed St Bartholomew’s Square, which was constructed in the same stone by James Gibbs in 1738-69 and the many famous London churches constructed by Sir Christopher Wren in the same material. “St Bartholomew’s has such rich history, having been responsible for numerous medical breakthroughs since it began in 1123, and we are delighted to ensure these two redundant buildings will once again be centres of quality healthcare as St Bartholomew’s celebrates its 900th anniversary in a few years,” commented Steve Gray, CEO at Nuffield Health.

Peter McStay, Project Manager at Kier, the firm managing the construction of the new facility, added: “This project is vital to the City of London and I’m pleased we have reached this major milestone in the construction of the building, taking us one step closer to delivering modern, efficient and patient-focused healthcare facilities.”

Indeed, the facility will not only celebrate the building’s historic past, it will provide a wholesome and positive environment for patients visiting the facility. The hospital is scheduled to open in 2021.