National Health Service (NHS) / London Borough of Hackney, The Portico

London, England

Services

Sectors

Project Summary

The Portico building is a local landmark in the London Borough of Hackney, aptly named for its distinctive colonnade. The structure has served many occupants in its 200-year lifespan, from young orphans to cadets in the Salvation Army. Most recently, the NHS saw potential to refurbish the Portico and revive its role as community cornerstone serving public good as a new home for the Lower Clapton General Practice. Significantly, the effort would solve pressing expansion needs for the health clinic, which serves some 15,000-plus patients.

MGAC's Role

At this project’s outset in 2019, The Portico, unused for years, was at risk of falling into disrepair. So, while the effort presented a remarkable opportunity to transform and return purpose to a beloved building, it was an ambitious undertaking from the start. MGAC was engaged to provide project management services, which began by initiating a full survey, given the historic site’s propensity for unknowns. Those critical findings were factored into our early planning and budget buildout.

Challenges

Given the Grade II landmark site’s age and state of wear, this upfit required extensive restoration, modernisation, and extension efforts, and all work had to meet stringent preservation standards. As plans took shape, we worked in close consultation with ADP Architecture and the local heritage officer—while still ensuring the cutting-edge care goals of the NHS and Lower Clapton General Practice clinicians were front and centre. And, there was yet another stakeholder group to consider: patients across the greater community. Working in conjunction with the London Borough of Hackney communications team, we coordinated an exercise to proactively inform local residents about the project’s process and broader context. MGAC’s coordination was central to keeping so many stakeholders rallied around their shared vision for this noble structure—and commitment to serving the local community.

Success Factors

The Portico’s story may have begun two centuries ago but, with this project, its next chapter is filled with promise—all thanks to a unique and successful partnership between the NHS and the local council. Today, the Lower Clapton General Practice offers a range of consulting and treatment spaces providing high-quality primary, community, and social care services. We are proud to have played a role in making it possible through down-to-the-detail planning, constant collaboration, and tactfully balancing unwavering historic preservation obligations against impassioned ambitions for modern, holistic healthcare.

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