Alder Hey’s Ronald McDonald House set for £11m revamp
Work is anticipated to begin next year to refurbish the 30-year-old building off Alder Road in Liverpool.
Operated by its namesake charity, the Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital is the largest of the charity’s facilities in Europe and provides free accommodation for families with children undergoing treatment. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK operates a total 14 houses across England, Wales, and Scotland.
The house “requires major modernisation” in order to continue to meet the needs of families, according to Ronald McDonald House Charities, and is set for an £11m renovation.
Designed by AEW Architects, the project will include a complete refit of all bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms, as well as the installation of family kitchens on each floor.
At present, Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey offers 83 bedrooms, including 15 longer-stay apartments. The refurbishment will see the creation of more interconnecting rooms for larger or blended families.
Families will also benefit from an improved extended day room to offer complementary services, including the likes of hairdressing, yoga, and family support.
Outside, Urban Green has redesigned the externals and garden space to provide a new, dedicated space for all age groups, particularly families and children, to relax and play.
Urban Green also provided coordinated advice on trees, ecology, and BNG.
The main entrance to the house will be relocated to the opposite corner and provide a double-height glazed entrance lobby, as well as feature cladding. Also, the bay windows will be replaced with a more contemporary design, uniform rectangular shape, and feature cladding to match the entrance.
The day room will be extended. Credit: via Ronald McDonald House Charities UK
Previously independent, the Alder Hey House officially became part of the Ronald McDonald House Charities UK family last year.
The charity has raised £9m of the funds needed for the £11m project and is calling on the local community to raise the final £2m required for the renovation.
Richard Farish, director of UK estates and facilities for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK said: “We’re really excited about this project, which will see a full refurbishment of the existing house, including the exterior façade, interior redesign, and new building services.
“It includes environmentally sustainable solutions for energy and water use and will add attributes that synergise with Alder Hey’s healthcare ambitions of whole-family wellbeing, healthy lifestyle, and day patient support.”
The Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey currently provides 83 bedrooms. Credit: via Ronald McDonald House Charities UK
In order for the house to remain partly operational, work will take place in two phases and is expected to be completed late 2025.
Nearby, the former Alder Hey Hospital site is currently the subject of Step Place’s proposals to deliver a total of 98 homes: 59 retirement apartments to be managed by McCarthy Stone, eight apartments for people with autism, and 31 townhouses.
