Brutalist architecture in London has a name. That name is the Tower Wing. Today, we’re standing before this iconic structure originally known as Guy’s Tower.
Guy’s Hospital’s Tower Wing is more than just a building. It’s a testament to architectural ambition. It reflects London’s ever-evolving skyline.
The Tower Wing opened in 1974. At that time, it was the tallest hospital building in the world. It reached a height of 148.65 metres with 34 floors. Imagine the views from the top.
But its reign as the tallest didn’t last forever. In 1988, The Belaire in New York City surpassed it. As of June 2019, Guy’s Tower was the world’s sixth-tallest hospital building. It remains one of London’s tallest buildings.
Guy’s Hospital itself has a rich history. Philanthropist Thomas Guy founded it in 1721. He made his fortune printing Bibles and speculating in the South Sea Bubble.
Initially, Guy’s Hospital treated “incurables” discharged from St Thomas’ Hospital. Guy had been a governor and benefactor of St Thomas’. His fellow governors supported his vision. They granted the south side of St Thomas Street for a peppercorn rent for 999 years.
After Thomas Guy died in 1724, he was entombed in the hospital’s chapel. The chapel dates back to the 18th century. His tomb features a marble sculpture by John Bacon.
Over the years, Guy’s Hospital expanded. William Hunt’s bequest of £180,000 in 1829 allowed for a hundred more beds. Hunt’s name was given to the southern expansion in 1850.
In 1974, the 34-story Guy’s Tower was constructed. Watkins Gray designed this complex. In December 2004, The Princess Royal opened the Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases.
Today, medical services are concentrated in buildings east of Great Maze Pond. These connected buildings are known as Tower Wing, Bermondsey Wing, Southwark Wing and Borough Wing.
The Tower Wing briefly regained its title as the world’s tallest hospital in 2014. But the Outpatient Center at Houston Methodist Hospital surpassed it.
The Tower Wing is a landmark. It’s a symbol of Guy’s Hospital’s long history of healthcare innovation. It’s a reminder of London’s architectural ambition. As you explore London, remember to look up and appreciate this iconic structure. The Tower Wing stands tall. It represents care, progress, and the ever-changing face of this great city.