Detailed plans have now been submitted to Leeds City Council to create a private hospital in one of Leeds’ most iconic buildings.
Dr Fas Arshad, facial plastic surgeon and the lead surgeon at The Hair Dr – Hair Transplant Clinic, has drawn up proposals to turn the 17th century Red Hall House estate near Roundhay Park into a private multi-disciplinary hospital.
The new £5m Red Hall Private Hospital will specialise in cosmetic and non-cosmetic surgeries. It will create 40 permanent and high-quality jobs, providing a timely boost to the area’s economy.
A Phase One planning application has just been approved by the city council, which features the full refurbishment of the listed building and the creation of three bespoke operating rooms to support the transition of Dr Arshad’s operation from their current surgical facility.
The more detailed Phase Two application, which is scheduled to be discussed by planners this spring, offers a full Day Case surgery facility, a full operating theatre with associated support spaces, four examination/consulting rooms and two additional treatment rooms.
The bulk of the new clinical space will be housed in a 6,500 sq ft annexe, allowing for the latest sustainable and medical technology to be integrated seamlessly with the listed Red Hall House.
Jonathan Erkulis, director of the Yorkshire-based E3 Architecture, is working very closely with Dr Arshad on the transformation of the Red Hall House estate. He said: “Our proposals commit to the future restoration, sustainability and longevity of this important Grade II Listed Building while creating sensitive and high-quality designed additions to create a prestigious state-of the-art medical facility.”
Dr Arshad and his wife and business partner Ms Sommiya bought Red Hall House from the Rugby Football League last year for over £1.65 million.
Dr Arshad explained: “The Hair Dr Clinic is expanding quickly and we have outgrown our current premises. The majestic Grade II Red Hall, close to the new East Leeds Orbital Route, is absolutely perfect and it is humbling to be moving into such a magnificent building with such an illustrious history.”
The building is set in over 3 acres of landscaped grounds ensuring patient welfare, comfort and discretion are at the forefront of design.
Ms Sommiya said: “The main focus of our work at Red Hall will be to offer up-to-date and state-of-the-art treatments, which include surgical and non-surgical treatment. Our approach is holistic, ensuring that everyone who comes here for surgery will also receive the very best psychological and emotional support.
“It is a common but dangerous misconception that, for example a successful hair transplant can be done in isolation with no regard for a client’s emotional wellbeing and mental health. It can’t. With this in mind, we have to identify our clients’ goals and expectations and fulfil them accordingly.”
The founders of Red Hall Private Hospital have strong links to the region having both graduated from the University of Leeds. Dr Arshad, who is a consultant head, neck and facial plastic surgeon and Ms Sommiya, who is a practice manager and audiologist with a Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice, have plans to expand the repertoire of surgeries that will be offered at Red Hall Private Hospital.
These additional services are to include other cosmetic procedures such as facial plastic surgeries as well as non-cosmetic day case surgeries such as Cataracts and Arthroscopies with the aim to ease the current huge pressure on NHS waiting lists.
Jonathan Erkulis added: “It is a pleasure working with Dr Arshad to secure the positive redevelopment of Red Hall. The project is an example of where conservation and commercial aspirations can work together through major investment.
“E3 Architecture have worked closely with Leeds City Council ensuring a unified approach to maintaining the setting and integrity of Red Hall, via careful and innovative design, preserving the landscaped grounds and approach securing the Red Hall Estates long-term preservation, enhancement and future viability.”
Jonathan Hyland, partner at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who sold Red Hall House to Dr Arshad, said: “There was a good deal of interest in this iconic building, but we believe the eventual purchaser, Dr Arshad, is best placed to breathe fresh life into Red Hall. His plans to transform the building into a pioneering private hospital are tremendously exciting and we wish him the very best of luck.”
