Facelift for Royal Free (From Times Series)

Facelift for Royal Free

11:10am Saturday 11th April 2009 in Top Stories By Tomasz Johnson

The Royal Free Hospital will receive a £5.4 million facelift this year - thanks in part to the benevolence of a Holocaust survivor.

A fifth of the cost will be paid for by Ernest Gruenwald, a Hampstead businessman who came to the UK after fleeing Nazi Germany, and who left the bulk of his estate to the Royal Free.

The Hampstead hospital will get a new front entrance that will improve access by car and foot, and more disabled parking.

There will be covered walkways and easier access for people getting to and from ambulance and taxi transport, landscaping of the outside space and a new glass café.

Construction has already begun and with the external work due to be finished by September and the internal work by December.