City of Westminster (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Fresh designs show how the proposed new research centre at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, Westminster, could transform the historic medical site.
As part of the larger Fleming Initiative, the Fleming Centre will serve as a center for research and engagement, bringing together professionals, politicians, and scientists to work together to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). With work starting in 2026, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which operates hospitals including St. Mary’s, plans to submit a planning proposal later this year.
In 2028, one hundred years after Sir Alexander Fleming made the discovery of penicillin at the hospital, the center is anticipated to open.
The center will offer “new opportunities and investment” to the area as part of Paddington Life Sciences, Westminster, the expanding cluster of life sciences and data industries surrounding St Mary’s, according to Matt Tulley, Director of Redevelopment, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
When completed, the Fleming Centre will play a significant role in the Fleming Initiative, which is a partnership with Imperial College London under the direction of Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham. The goal of the project was to find treatments for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change so they can no longer be treated by medications, making infections more difficult to cure.
After a design competition and a three-day exhibition in November, Imperial announced in January that the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has chosen London-based studio Stanton Williams to work on the Fleming Centre.
The center’s early concept photos, which were initially displayed at the exhibition, were also released.
During an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in June, Professor Tim Orchard, Chief Executive of the Trust, said of the centre and the battle against AMR:
“Probably something over a million people die every year from antimicrobial resistance and that could be in excess of 10 million if you fast-forward another 25 years or so. So it is a significant global health issue and it’s an issue we face every day.”
In the same month, an on-site exhibition was held, and a public consultation asking for input on the proposed center was being held through July. Following the last consultation, Stanton Williams created a fresh set of updated designs, which Imperial is currently looking for input on.
To participate, individuals can go to the Imperial website’s consultation page, attend a public exhibition at St. Mary’s on October 16, 17, and 18, or participate in an online webinar on October 15.
The Trust claims that the designs prioritize a number of goals, such as maximizing the canal’s potential, enhancing accessibility, and conserving the area’s cultural legacy.
Professor Alison Holmes, Director of the Fleming Initiative, said:
“We are committed to ensuring the Fleming Centre reflects the needs and priorities of our community. Public and stakeholder feedback is invaluable as we refine these updated designs, and we strongly encourage everyone to share their thoughts and help us create a unique and beautiful hub, which will both engage the public and have an impact on research and policy.”
Mr Tulley said:
“We’re proud to be creating a sustainable and welcoming building that will help find solutions to antimicrobial resistance, one of the biggest global health threats we face. The centre will also bring new opportunities and investment to the area as part of Paddington Life Sciences, the growing cluster of life sciences and data business around St Mary’s.
Huge thanks to everyone who has given us feedback so far and helped to shape our designs. It’s vital the centre reflects the views and needs of our local communities, as well as researchers, policy makers and partners.”
When is planning permission for the Fleming Centre expected to be decided?
It is anticipated that West London NHS Trust will submit the planning application for the Fleming Centre at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington in December 2025.
Following submission, the Trust expects to commence construction in 2026, with the aim to open the Centre in 2028.
The design phase is currently underway, and a public consultation is ongoing, with Stanton Williams leading the design development on behalf of the Trust. The design of the Fleming Centre is intended to enable a cutting-edge research and public engagement space focused on antimicrobial resistance, marking the centenary of Sir Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin.