Designating King's Cross Hospital, Dundee

Closed 13 Nov 2024

Opened 2 Oct 2024

Contact

Designations

0131 668 8914

designations@hes.scot

Feedback updated 11 Dec 2024

We asked

From 2 October to 13 November 2024, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on a proposal to list all of the buildings that were built as part of the earliest phase of King’s Cross Hospital’s development between 1889 and 1903.

King’s Cross Hospital opened in 1889 as Dundee’s first, purpose-built, permanent fever hospital to treat and care for patients with infectious diseases. The earliest phase of King’s Cross Hospital is a rare surviving example of a purpose-built fever hospital that retains much of its late-19th century plan form and good quality exterior detailing. King’s Cross Hospital is one of the most complete examples of an urban fever hospital to survive largely in its original form in Scotland.

Through Citizen Space, we invited members of the public to tell us if they agreed with the proposed designation and if they had further comments to make.

We consulted directly with NHS Tayside (the owners) and Dundee City Council planning authority.

Our selection guidance for designation and the policies we work to are published in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance document.  

You said

We received four responses to the consultation. The responses from the owners (NHS Tayside) and the planning authority provided no comments on the proposed amendment to the existing designation.

We received two responses with comments from private individuals via our Citizen Space survey. Both of these responses expressed support for the proposal to include the earliest hospital buildings within the existing designation.

No issues were raised that brought into question the cultural significance of the site for designation. 

We did

After considering the comments received during consultation, we have amended the current designation of the gates and gatepiers to include all of the hospital buildings at King’s Cross Hospital that were constructed by 1903 (as shown on the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey map). The hospital buildings are listed at category B, listed building ref: LB25537

We have published a Report on Handling for this case on the Heritage Portal. This can also be downloaded below:

 

Overview

We are proposing to list the King’s Cross Hospital in Dundee at category B. The proposal is to list all of the buildings that were built as part of the earliest phase of the hospital’s development between 1889 and 1903. The hospital’s railings and gates along Clepington Road, which are already listed (LB25537), will form part of the revised listing.

King’s Cross Hospital opened in 1889 as Dundee’s first, purpose-built, permanent fever hospital to treat and care for patients with infectious diseases. The design of the hospital, with linked ward pavilions, was based on medical understanding of the time about the spread, control and management of contagious epidemics.

The earliest phase of King’s Cross Hospital is a rare surviving example of a purpose-built fever hospital that retains much of its late-19th century plan form and good quality exterior detailing. The near-complete survival of the original pavilion-style plan form, including the administration building, ward pavilions, corridor network and related ancillary structures illustrate its former function as a purpose-built infectious disease hospital. King’s Cross Hospital is one of the most complete examples of an urban fever hospital to survive largely in its original form in Scotland.

Main administration building of King's Cross HospitalMain Administration building of King’s Cross Hospital © HES

We are now gathering views on our proposal to include the structures built as part of the earliest phase of construction within the existing designation.

Read more about why we think King’s Cross Hospital meets the criteria for listing by downloading our Report. 

How we designate listed buildings

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is responsible for designating listed buildings in Scotland. We consider proposals for all types of buildings from members of the public.

We list buildings of special architectural or historic interest. A dedicated team researches and assesses all designation applications.

To merit listing, the structure must meet set listing criteria.

Find out about the listing process.

Why your views matter

We’d love to hear your thoughts and whether you agree with our proposal. You can do this by completing the short questionnaire below. We are also keen for any more information that you might have about the building/site, which will enhance our understanding of its significance and our record. 

This questionnaire usually takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

Find out what comments we consider and what happens next in our consultation guide or watch our designations video on YouTube. For a version of this video in British Sign Language, please visit our Youtube channel.