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Royal Alexandra Hospital
The Royal Alexandra Infirmary was built to designs by T. G. Abercrombie and was, as the recent Pevsner Guide noted, the largest and most prestigious of his Paisley buildings. It was replaced by the present Royal Alexandra Hospital in the 1980s, and whilst some of the former infirmary buildings have been converted to new uses, large parts of this fine building are in a ruinous state. The plan of the infirmary is of particular interest from its incorporation of circular wards in a three storey block to the north. Another distinctive feature were the ward pavilions to the south which terminated in semi‑circular open verandas or balconies.
The hospital was extended further over the years until its closure in 1987 when the new hospital was opened in Craw Road. Part of the main range of the old Infirmary was then used as a care home, the rest was converted into flats in about 1995. The former nurses’ home was converted into flats in 2005-6 by Aitken Turnbull Architecture. After the care home closed in about 2008, this part of the former Infirmary began to deteriorate.
One of those places that I had a feeling would be quite interesting to walk around, whilst the others were a bit turned off by what they had seen. We visited here on our September road trip around Scotland to find a relatively easy access, probably the reason for the building's condition. Inside the hospital, the architecture was some of the best I've seen for this sort of facility, however, the property was very trashed with noticeable fire damage in various spots, particularly the central stair well with it's ornate bannister and stained glass window. Still, we had an enjoyable time wandering over the massive complex looking for it's highlights.
The nice main corridor with arched, wooden beam roof.
One of nine wards located on each floor of the extended blocks leading from the main building. Empty and void of anything.
Central staircase, charred by a fire. This entire section contained great wooden panelling.
Bannister details.
Chapel.
The amazing kitchen, located at the top of one of the infirmary's towers.
Outside on one of the ward verandas. This was probably my favourite part of the hospital as it was rare design that is being decimated each day.
Washing machines and dryers in the basement.
One of the hospital's main entrance in a modern region.
Here is the link to our documentary styled video filmed at the hospital. We cover the building's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
Thanks for reading
The Royal Alexandra Infirmary was built to designs by T. G. Abercrombie and was, as the recent Pevsner Guide noted, the largest and most prestigious of his Paisley buildings. It was replaced by the present Royal Alexandra Hospital in the 1980s, and whilst some of the former infirmary buildings have been converted to new uses, large parts of this fine building are in a ruinous state. The plan of the infirmary is of particular interest from its incorporation of circular wards in a three storey block to the north. Another distinctive feature were the ward pavilions to the south which terminated in semi‑circular open verandas or balconies.
The hospital was extended further over the years until its closure in 1987 when the new hospital was opened in Craw Road. Part of the main range of the old Infirmary was then used as a care home, the rest was converted into flats in about 1995. The former nurses’ home was converted into flats in 2005-6 by Aitken Turnbull Architecture. After the care home closed in about 2008, this part of the former Infirmary began to deteriorate.
One of those places that I had a feeling would be quite interesting to walk around, whilst the others were a bit turned off by what they had seen. We visited here on our September road trip around Scotland to find a relatively easy access, probably the reason for the building's condition. Inside the hospital, the architecture was some of the best I've seen for this sort of facility, however, the property was very trashed with noticeable fire damage in various spots, particularly the central stair well with it's ornate bannister and stained glass window. Still, we had an enjoyable time wandering over the massive complex looking for it's highlights.
The nice main corridor with arched, wooden beam roof.
One of nine wards located on each floor of the extended blocks leading from the main building. Empty and void of anything.
Central staircase, charred by a fire. This entire section contained great wooden panelling.
Bannister details.
Chapel.
The amazing kitchen, located at the top of one of the infirmary's towers.
Outside on one of the ward verandas. This was probably my favourite part of the hospital as it was rare design that is being decimated each day.
Washing machines and dryers in the basement.
One of the hospital's main entrance in a modern region.
Here is the link to our documentary styled video filmed at the hospital. We cover the building's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
Thanks for reading
