News + Ideas

London – 27 August 2024 – MGAC has announced the completion and opening of a new health centre for the Lower Clapton Group Practice in east London, housed within the refurbished and extended historic Grade II Listed Portico building. The state-of-the-art medical centre opened its doors in May 2024, marking a significant milestone for the local community and the building’s rich history dating back to 1823.

Originally part of the London Orphan Asylum and later serving as the National Barracks for the Salvation Army, the Grade II Listed Portico has stood alone since 1975 when much of the original structure was demolished. Now, after extensive restoration, modernisation, and extension efforts, it will once again serve the community, this time as a modern medical facility.

The new health centre includes 18 consulting rooms, six treatment rooms, one minor procedure room, as well as administrative, staff, and patient accommodation, and new reception areas. The Lower Clapton Group Practice, which serves over 15,000 patients, has faced significant space constraints for over 20 years. This new centre will address these challenges, offering enhanced and an extended range of services and greater comfort for both staff and patients.

On 16 July 2024, representatives from the project team visited the new surgery centre with Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley and Councillor Christopher Kennedy, where the Mayor and colleagues had an opportunity to gain early positive feedback from both staff and patients using the new facility.

“MGAC has led this scheme as Project Manager from its inception in early 2020, partnering with the London Borough of Hackney, the NHS, Lower Clapton Group Practice, ADP Architecture, Neilcott Construction Limited, and the entire project team to breathe new life into this historic site. We are honoured to have worked with an amazing team to revitalise the Clapton Portico,” said Ross Gates, a Managing Director at MGAC. “This project preserves an important piece of Hackney’s history, giving it new purpose, while also addressing the critical and developing healthcare needs in the neighbourhood. We look forward to hearing more in the future about the positive impact this new facility will have on the Lower Clapton Group Practice and its patients,” he concluded.

The Portico building, located on Linscott Road, E5, is a notable landmark in the borough of Hackney, recognised for its architectural and historical significance. This transformation, borne out of a partnership of the NHS and the Hackney Council, is a model for the successful delivery of new healthcare facilities. This project also reflects a real commitment to improving local healthcare infrastructure by utilising and preserving existing historical sites.

The new facility will offer enhanced services and greater comfort for both staff and patients, marking a new chapter in the story of this beloved local landmark.

Learn more about The Portico in the press.
London Daily, MGAC Revives Grade II Listed East London Landmark Building into Modern Health Centre