History

CONVERSION TO SHOPPING CENTRE AND APARTMENTS
The Royal Salop Infirmary was built as a subscription hospital for the people of Shropshire, work started in 1826 and was completed by 1830. The architect, E.H. Haycock, designed the building in 'Greek Revival' style, of which he was a master.

The construction is brickwork faced with 5" ashlar of nearby Grinshill sandstone. The rear elevation is a landmark on the Shrewsbury skyline when the town is viewed from the south.

EXPANSION OF THE BUILDING
In 1870 a further cross wing was added in matching style. By 1915 crude steel and glass balconies had been added to allow Great War patients to enjoy the River view. The Second World War brought an operating theatre suite constructed on the roof. A top floor concrete veranda and balcony was constructed to link the two cross wings and a 5 storey sluice block was added.

Giant lift motor rooms and external lift shafts were added, ventilation ducts snaked across the roof and down the elevations, the fenestration was altered and to cap it all, the Grinshill stone had become jet-black with soot stains. The interior was equally changed as it became a rabbit warren of partitions, screens, ramps, ducts and services.

END OF AN ERA - A NEW BEGINNING
In the mid 1970's the hospital faced closure with completion of a new hospital. Many local people considered it a grimy 'white elephant' worthy of demolition! The building was offered to the local authorities, national and government bodies.

All declined and the building was put on the open market. By 1979 by the hospital had been empty and deteriorating for two years. The building was eventually purchased by RMJ Freeman, a local businessman who had a reputation for conservation work on local historic buildings.

THE WORKS
The top three floors would become residential and the lower two floors for specialist shopping. The corridor plan of the building allowed a simple division of the ward spaces into 31 apartments.

Key ingredients were the removal of: the whole of the top floor operating suites, rear concrete balconies and 4 storey sluice block. The adjoining sheds and boiler rooms were demolished and the stone work repaired and replaced, according to the original design.

CONCLUSION
From a conversion point of view the scheme is an undoubted success and broke new ground in Shrewsbury. The project set high standards in conservation at a time when demolition was still a likely option for an old building with no readily apparent re-use.