Nightingale House is a transformative project by Morro Partnerships in collaboration with long-term investor and placemaker whg. It involved converting Wolverhampton’s long-derelict Grade II – listed Royal Hospital into 48 high-quality apartments exclusively for over-55s. The project formed a critical phase of the 450-home mixed-use Royal Quarter regeneration, with all funding secured through whg and Homes England.
The design ambition was to support older people to live independently, with Nightingale House serving as whg’s seventh wellbeing scheme. This holistic, preventative model addressed health inequalities by helping residents maintain their wellbeing and reduce future risks.
The design concept balanced heritage conservation with contemporary living needs. Each apartment’s bespoke layout responded to the constraints of a protected space, limiting external alterations. Innovative solutions discreetly concealed mechanical and electrical services, allowing residents to experience a truly inspiring and historic setting.
Original lightwells in the former hospital’s communal corridors were retained to bring natural daylight into the building. Apartment layouts prioritised light and ease of use, supporting wayfinding and the specific needs of older residents, with level thresholds, adaptable bathrooms, and wider doors to ensure step-free, secure, and accessible living. Interiors blended calming neutral tones with vibrant accents, creating a balance of heritage character and contemporary warmth. Wellness-focused amenities – including a raised residents’ allotment, library, cinema room, and community lounge provided spaces for social interaction as well as quiet reflection.
The project also adopted a strong approach to non-property-based elements of urban regeneration, focusing on employment creation and social inclusion. Morro Partnerships, in collaboration with whg, generated over £300,000 in social value through outreach to local schools and charities, careers talks for pupils, and donations to community causes, while honouring the hospital’s nearly 150-year legacy.
Morro built strong ties with local colleges, creating 12 two-year apprenticeships and three five-week work experience placements. These early career pathways helped the next generation of construction professionals develop skills and confidence. Where possible, local employment was prioritised, with an average of 35 people employed within the West Midlands region at any one time during the project.
Sustainability measures were integral to the scheme. Converting a heritage building into a carbon-efficient development required innovation: secondary glazing and targeted fabric upgrades improved thermal efficiency, achieving a 55% uplift against current building regulations and Future Homes Standard equivalence. A centralised air-source heat pump network provided a no-fossil-fuel heating solution, complemented by EV charging points and biodiverse landscaping to enhance environmental performance.
Placing older people’s housing alongside mixed-use neighbours, including a nursery, YMCA accommodation for younger people, and public open spaces, created a nurturing, intergenerational environment that reduced isolation and promoted wellbeing.
Councillor Steve Evans, deputy leader of the Wolverhampton Labour Group and cabinet member for city housing, City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “whg and Morro Partnerships have made a remarkable job of restoring and converting it to much-needed housing and created a community for our over 55s residents.”
Tara Kennedy, senior development manager at Homes England, said: “It’s been eight years since Homes England bought the Royal Hospital site in Wolverhampton, and to see the work of partners in transforming it into an exciting new place to live has been truly amazing.”
A former nurse who worked at the hospital and now has an apartment, said: “The Royal was very dear to all who worked there. To see it lovingly brought back to a new life was really gratifying. It was very apparent that the same care and respect is applied to the residents – what a wonderful legacy to continue.”
Current residents highlight the positive impact, with one stating: “Living here has not only given me a new lease of life but it has transformed it and my wellbeing. When I was accepted, I didn’t realise how good it was going to be in terms of the surroundings, the support from the other residents who have become a tight-knit community to the wellbeing officer who is always there to help with queries.”
Another resident simply added: “I think it’s amazing. They have been so considerate to the architecture of the building and the area.”
Hospital historian Roy Stallard concluded that “whg and Morro have treated the hospital with reverence.”
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Morro Partnerships Limited
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