Noah’s Ark Hospice London, UK

JLL were approached by the Children’s Hospice Noah’s Ark who were seeking donations to a much needed, building project – to create a new office and healthcare accommodation on a site in Barnet, North London.

Our task was to provide planning advice and project management services that would deliver a new hospice in Barnet for children with life-limiting and terminal illnesses.

Acting for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice as pro bono project managers, the JLL team was keen to fulfil not only a great promise of delivering state of the art residential facilities for 6 terminally-ill children to be able to stay with their families at the most precious time of their lives;  but also, to meet our ambition for Building a Better Tomorrow.

The Planning and Development team worked closely with our Project Management team to make sure that they could respond quickly on any issues.  This resulted in a seamless process and because of the Hospice’s charitable status, we worked with the architects and construction teams to deliver new build including administration offices.  The whole project team worked either at reduced fees or pro-bono and much of the material for the build was donated by industry partners.

Thanks to our Planning and Development team’s previous experience of green belt development, we achieved planning permission working closely with The London Borough of Barnet by putting forward a compelling case for this important project to happen, to making sure that we had the resources available to work to a tight schedule and a tight budget and deliver the quality that sets this fantastic facility apart.  The remaining areas of soft landscaping in the Sensory Garden are seeking furniture and materials donations to complete the haven around the building that will give parents and families space to reflect and recharge and the children great play space and shared experiences.

Without the commitment and generosity of all those involved in designing, building and managing the project, these facilities could never have been provided.  An achievement of which we are all immensely proud.

Andrew Renshaw, head of Valuation and Professional Advisory at JLL, principal project managers of the build commented: “The opportunity to support Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, on a project as rewarding and fulfilling as this, was a privilege. The Planning and Project Development Services team at JLL have long been part of the hospice’s community, and worked closely with the Noah’s Ark team to design and build the state-of-the-art hospice facility, suited to their specific needs.”

The project was recognised by the New London Architecture Awards in 2018 for The Wellness Award – winner in the Unbuilt category.

On 26 September 2019, the Hospice was officially opened by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan who praised the work of the hospice and the new facilities as ….”a beacon of light for the children and families it serves, so I’m delighted that they have a brand-new home. The Ark will ensure that children across north and central London receive the best possible care and support. It’s a children’s hospice that has been built by the community for the community, and is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when Londoners work together.”

We look forward to remaining in close contact with the Hospice and the Noah’s Ark team as they continue to provide outstanding care and compassion with the improved facilities that will keep families together when it matters most.