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HCA Healthcare UK’s Latest Expansion
HCA Healthcare UK is set to open a £13.5 million six-floor women’s health centre on Harley Street this autumn, signalling a continued boom in the private healthcare industry in the UK. The new 13,000-square-foot facility will offer private GP services with doctors specializing in women’s health, expanding HCA Healthcare UK’s footprint in the area.
This addition marks another expansion for HCA Healthcare UK, a branch of the American healthcare company that has operated in the UK since 1995. The company also manages a three-floor centre in The Shard and a private patient facility at Guy’s & St Thomas’.
A Legacy of Women’s Healthcare
Harley Street has a storied history of women’s healthcare. Florence Nightingale moved to Harley Street in 1852 to become the superintendent of a women’s nursing home, later renamed Nightingale Hospital in her honour.
“HCA’s expansion in Harley Street is a testament to the world-class healthcare offering we have across Marylebone,” Richard North, head of commercial lettings at the Howard de Walden estate, said. “It will be great to offer a healthcare facility which focuses on women’s health, and we’re all looking forward to it opening later this year,” he added.
Growing Preference for Private Healthcare
HCA’s new centre underscores a broader trend of Brits turning to private healthcare as NHS waiting lists grow. With public healthcare becoming increasingly overburdened and difficult to access, more individuals are seeking private alternatives.
Data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) revealed a 7% increase in private hospital admissions in the first three quarters of 2023 compared to 2022. Additionally, city businesses are offering private healthcare insurance as a benefit to attract new employees.
Marylebone Village: A Hub for Business and Real Estate
Marylebone Village has seen significant growth over the past decade, driven largely by the Portman Estate and the Howard de Walden Estate, which collectively own most of the area’s land.
Richard North, Head of Commercial Lettings at The Howard de Walden Estate, noted that Marylebone “continues to appeal to a huge range of businesses… we’re seeing [demand] for high-quality office space.”
The area has transformed from a local village to a prime real estate location in central London, attracting businesses looking to build their brands and retain employees.
Trevor Kearney, former senior director at Savills and founder of The Private Office: Real Estate, said, “For businesses looking to attract and retain employees and build their brand, [Marylebone] is a prime location to be in. We have seen the gravitation of commercial space from Knightsbridge and Mayfair go across to areas such as Marylebone and Soho.”
An Attractive and Affordable Alternative
Properties in Marylebone offer an affordable alternative to neighbouring areas, with an overall average price of £1,539,396 over the past year, compared to much higher prices in nearby Mayfair, according to Rightmove.
