Rich in History
1901
King Edward VII, whilst touring Germany in 1901, was impressed by a tuberculosis Sanatorium he visited. With this visit came inspiration to found one similar in England. The site chosen was on a bright, south-facing hillside near Midhurst with open views to the South Downs. The peaceful surroundings offer a tranquil environment, which helped to promote healing among patients.
1920
The hospital was designed by Charles Holden and Percy Adams and was highly acclaimed in the architectural press when completed. It was said to be “one of the finest of the time” in the Royal Commission survey of English Hospitals: 1660 to 1948, and was highly praised.
1960
Until the 1950’s the building fared well, with the necessary extensions being designed in a sensitive manner. However, from the 1960’s onwards such sensitivity was put aside, with the practicalities of a hospital being the overriding influence. These unfortunate additions paid little regard to the historic architecture and landscape. Despite this much of the historic fabric and quality remains, and the upgrading to Grade II* listing in 2004 for the main building and chapel underline the importance of this collection of historic buildings.
1964
After 1964, the hospital was used for more general purposes. Over the years, many unsympathetic modern additions were made to the original Grade II and II* listed buildings.
2006
The hospital eventually closed in 2006, where it lay abandoned and left to decline.
2009
City & Country purchased the Estate and used it’s in-house specialists, in conjunction with historic photos to develop plans that would see the unsympathetic and poorly executed additions of recent years removed and the buildings returned to their former glory. The Sanatorium was completed in phases with the central area first followed by the South East and West wings, finishing with the North West wing.
Special attention was used when selecting materials for the restoration and on the new additions and as such natural stone, lead, lime mortars, hardwoods, and handmade bricks and roof tiles feature throughout.
In addition to the meticulous restoration, great effort was made to replicate the existing features on the Sanatorium and incorporate them into the new build elements on the South East and North West wings. Bespoke metal & timber windows were procured for these buildings that sit within new cast stone surrounds.
2015
The apartments at King Edward VII Estate were launched for sale.