Created with an Act of Parliament in 1775, initially for the parish of St Paul in Covent Garden, this is the most intact example of an 18th century workhouse institution left standing in London. Joseph Rogers was appointed to the post of Medical Officer in 1856 and remained for thirty years.
From 1873 the building was known as the Central London Sick Asylum. The workhouse was relocated to North Edmonton and the Cleveland Street site became an infirmary, effectively a hospital for the poor. This continued till 1913. A children’s infirmary then ran on the site for ten years. After WW1 the site was taken over by the nearby Middlesex Hospital.
The name changes of the building over the years briefly summarise its history: St Paul Covent Garden Workhouse or simply Covent Garden Workhouse; Strand Union Workhouse; Central London Sick Asylum; Cleveland Street Infirmary; Middlesex Hospital Annexe; Middlesex Hospital Outpatient Department. At this point, 2008, it was scheduled for demolition but a spirited campaign, with some help from Charles Dickens, got it it listed in 2011 and it was saved. The picture source website is an invaluable resource.
2017: Now the Nightingale wards at the back and the burial ground, used for the paupers, are at risk from the developers. Read about one burial there, of an "Italian boy" who was murdered by "body-snatchers" so they could sell his body: . And Florence Nightingale's connection is detailed . We hope Camden does the right thing and protects this historic fabric.
2025: The University College Hospital Charitable trust had inherited the assets of the Middlesex, have implemented their plan for the site: a mixed-use structure of retail and office space, combined with a large block at the back of the preserved Georgian façade which would provide 25 residential units. The front has been transformed into a development called Fitzroy Walk with two townhouses and 13 luxury apartments.
Sources include: , .
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