History of the site

Dr John Radcliffe played an enormous role in the development of Oxford, albeit posthumously, through a large bequest of £140,000 to the University.

Radcliffe had acquired a fortune as a private London doctor, treating the rich, the royal and the famous. He always maintained that his success sprang from his Oxford education, and his legacy became known as the Radcliffe Trust.

Radcliffe’s main intention was to create a new library, the Radcliffe Camera, but sufficient funds remained after its completion for two further building projects, the Radcliffe Observatory and the Radcliffe Infirmary, which were built on neighbouring sites in the north of the city. 

Key Dates 

8 March 1759    

Architect Stiff Leadbetter presents plans for the Infirmary to the Radcliffe Trustees and building work begins. Leadbetter dies before it is completed and John Sanderson oversees its completion.

18 October 1770

The Radcliffe Infirmary is opened.

1779

Interaction with the University begins with the inauguration of a University professorship for the reading of clinical lectures. 

1857   

A new Outpatients' block is completed. The Triton fountain, designed by James Bell, is added to the front courtyard.

1865   

St Luke’s Chapel is built after a design by AW Blomfield (later Sir Arthur).

1911   

The Outpatients' Building is pulled down and replaced by the present building, designed by Edward Warren.

1913   

The new Outpatients' Building opens.

1924

William Morris (later to become Lord Nuffield) presents the Infirmary with £90,000, which ushers in a new era of expansion.

1929

The Observatory site is purchased, which allows the Infirmary to expand. Over the next ten years the Infirmary transforms from a competent county hospital to a world-leader in medical research.

4 July 1948 

The Board of Governors of the United Oxford Hospitals take over responsibility for the hospitals in the city and the Radcliffe Infirmary becomes a state hospital. 

1963    

The Holford report, which is an appraisal of future land requirements, identifies the RI site as the only sizeable plot of land available for development in the city centre.

1970s

The development of the RI site stops with the opening of the new John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

1997 

The importance of this site is re-emphasised in the Lucas report.

23 March 2003   

The site is sold to the University, with lease to the National Health Service until 2 February 2007.

Late 2004   

A competition for the Masterplan is launched.

April 2005   

Rafael Viñoly appointed as architects for the Masterplan.

2006    

An informal consultation process begins.

3 February 2007

The operational hospital closes on the Radcliffe Infirmary Site and relocates all its activities to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

11 February 2007

The site is formally handed over to the University of Oxford. 

5 March – 20 April 2007   

A formal public consultation process takes place.

November 2007   

The Masterplan is submitted to Oxford City Council.

May 2008

Bennetts Associates are appointed architects to phase one of the Humanities Centre following a full competitive tender and public exhibition.

October 2008

Demolition work begins.