A £47 million redevelopment of the Princess Alexandra home in Stanmore has been green-lighted by Jewish Care’s trustees after a major fundraising campaign.
The ambitious project includes a 64-bed nursing and dementia home, 16 assisted living studios, 48 one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments, a community day centre and specialist dementia day care facility. Other features will be a restaurant, synagogue, shop, hairdresser and well-being facilities for use by both residents and visitors.
Jewish Care purchased the property in 2000 with a view to its long-term potential. Planning permission for the redevelopment was granted in late 2015.
The care campus will be named Sandringham, reflecting the wishes of a family which has made an “exceptional gift” to the project. The independent living apartments will be named Pears Court, in recognition of a donation from the Pears Foundation.
“An ageing population and changing social care needs requires new models of care, and of its funding,” Sir Trevor Pears said.
The nursing and dementia home will offer modern facilities for the 45 people currently living in Princess Alexandra and future residents. It has benefited from the largest donation from the Dorfman Foundation to a Jewish community project.
“We are delighted to be helping the elderly in our community live with dignity, compassion and care,” said foundation chair Lloyd Dorfman.
The Gerald Ronson Family Foundation has pledged support for the building of the community centre and the assisted living studios will be named in recognition of a gift from the Wolfson Foundation.
Beyond the five lead gifts, several large contributions have been pledged from foundations, families and individuals. The charity is continuing its fundraising to secure the £7 million still required.
The project will be in two phases. The first is the building of the new home, which will be constructed alongside the existing premises.
Once this is complete, and residents are comfortable in their new surroundings, the second phase of works will include the demolition of the current home.
Jewish Care expects residents to move into the new home by spring 2019. The entire project has an estimated completion date of summer 2020.
