St James Hospital restoration plans revealed as former asylum to transform into 'unique' 'gothic style' homes

St James Hospital, located in Locksway Road, was a mental health facility managed by Solent NHS Trust and it was first opened in 1879. The hospital expanded to treat infectious diseases in the 1880s and, during the First World War, it became a military hospital, later evolving into a general hospital under the NHS until its closure in 2018.

The site was then sold to developer, PJ Livesey Group, in January 2019 and artist impressions of the plans for the property have now been unveiled.

The former hospital building will be converted into 151 homes, most of which will come with private outdoor spaces, and an additional 58 eco-friendly homes will be built at the back of the site. These eco homes will feature extensive insulation, solar panels, EV charging points, and triple glazing. Georgina Lynch, managing director at PJ Livesey Group, said: “St James Hospital has played an important role in Southsea’s history, serving the local community and the nation through two world wars. Working on this site brings a real responsibility to honour that history while creating a community that will endure for generations to come.

“This is a rare opportunity to deliver a new community of homes in Southsea. The unique properties will be spacious, full of character, and set amongst beautiful gardens. We’re incredibly excited to see St James Park take shape and become one of the best places to live in the heart of Southsea.”

The homes within the former hospital are going to be ‘sensitively refurbished and repurposed’ to form ‘gothic’ style, Grade II listed properties.

For more information about the redevelopment, click here.