Preferred developer chosen for Oriel

Plans for Oriel, a new eye care, research and education centre, have moved a step closer with the appointment of a preferred developer for our City Road site and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology’s Bath Street site (jointly referred to as the ‘City Road Island’).

Derwent London plc has been selected as the preferred developer, who will now work with Islington Council and the local community to redevelop the site. 

Our joint ‘Oriel’ initiative, alongside the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity, will see our services move to a brand new integrated centre on the site of St Pancras Hospital.

Harnessing all our expertise under one roof in a new fit-for-purpose centre will enable closer collaboration between clinicians and researchers to speed up the delivery of treatments and therapies for patients – ultimately helping us work together to discover, develop and deliver the best eye care.

The selection process has involved ensuring redevelopment proposals will complement Islington Council’s ambitions for the area and contribute to wider socio-economic benefits for local residents and businesses. The City Road Island sale is ‘subject to planning’ and a public consultation exercise will be undertaken involving the local community as part of the statutory planning process.

Martin Kuper, our chief executive said: “The sale of City Road Island is an essential part of our funding strategy for Oriel. All proceeds will be reinvested in the new centre to secure the long-term future of world-leading eye care, research and education in a way that represents value for money. Arrangements will be put in place for a smooth transition from the existing sites to the new one, with minimal disruption to the delivery of ongoing patient care.  

“We know that staff and patients have a very strong attachment to Moorfields at City Road, formed over many years, and will work with them to make sure that we do justice to honouring its legacy when we move to St Pancras. We will also maintain our strong links with Islington Council as plans for City Road Island progress.”