A former Victorian hospital in Birmingham city centre, which has stood empty for more than a decade, is on the market for £1.5 million. The Grade II-listed building at 71–79 John Bright Street, directly opposite New Street Station, has been described as a 'special' but 'at-risk' piece of Birmingham's rich heritage.
For nearly a century, the site operated as a specialist hospital, initially treating skin and venereal diseases before later focusing on urinary tract conditions. The prominent '1881' inscription on the third floor marks the year the hospital was founded, although it originally occupied a site a few streets away. Today, patients are treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital instead.
From 1984 onwards, the building was converted for use as various pubs. It later became Rosie O'Brien's nightclub, where thousands of revellers enjoyed late-night boozing until it closed for the final time in 2014.
The red-brick property was designed by architects James & Lister Lea, a firm responsible for many iconic pubs around the city, including The Wellington Hotel, The Woodman, and The Anchor. The John Bright Street site, which has massive potential, was previously described as 'at risk' by SAVE Britain's Heritage.
The building is on the market for offers around £1.5 million with estate agent Bond Wolfe and comes with full planning permission to transform it into 15 luxury apartments. The firm described it as an 'oven ready' development. Managing director James Mattin said: "This former Victorian hospital is now a Grade II-listed landmark which contains many original and historic features. Even the hospital's original mortuary table remains in the basement."
He added: "The current owners have done the hard work in securing full planning permission and listed building consent for the development of 15 luxury apartments, providing 11,357 sq ft of accommodation. Having sat vacant since 2014, the property has been stripped internally and is ready for development, providing the new owners with a great chance to create something truly special."
The listing on Bond Wolfe's website reads: "The property was constructed in the redbrick Queen Anne Style in 1881 and used from 1887 as a hospital. The attractive Grade II-listed building comprises extensive accommodation arranged over ground, first, second, third and basement floors. The ground floor has an impressive centrally located glazed light well, providing significant daylight into the area."
Unoccupied since 2014, the majority of the property's internal fixtures and fittings have been stripped out. The building was identified as a building at risk in the SAVE Britain's Heritage Buildings at Risk catalogue in 2017. On December 16, 2023, full planning permission was granted for the residential development of 15 apartments. The scheme comprises 15 prestigious apartments, four of which are configured as duplex around a central lightwell and courtyard with aerial walkways and distinctive features such as a historic tower and impressive brick detailing.
The property is subject to a long lease for a period of 135 years from 24 June 2006 at £11,500 per annum, subject to review every 25 years. The freehold of the property is in the ownership of the Gooch Family and the Benacre Estate. The freehold is available for separate acquisition at a fixed price of £650,000 subject to contract. The long leasehold interest is priced at £1,500,000, and the freehold can be purchased simultaneously if required at a fixed price of £650,000 subject to contract.
