A FIRM specialising in converting listed and historic buildings into exclusive flats has agreed to buy Bristol General Hospital in a deal worth more than £6 million.

The deal was announced last night and comes after months of negotiations involving the various parties.

The Redcliffe hospital is due to close early next year and the last of the remaining services will be transferred to Bristol Royal Infirmary and the new South Bristol Community Hospital.

The 178-year-old building is one of the oldest hospitals in the country and was put up for sale last October by the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation

Trust. The Guinea Street site was declared surplus to requirements after a review of services and most staff will move to the South Bristol Community Hospital in Hengrove.

The hospital has been bought by the City and Country Group, an award-winning firm which specialises in restoring and conserving older buildings and converting them into flats.

The two organisations have agreed in principle to the deal which will be the first project for the property firm in Bristol.

The hospital site covers just under three acres of land and overlooks the quayside. The development is seen a key part of the city council’s plans to regenerate the Redcliffe area.

The main hospital building, along with the former lodge and the main hospital gates on Guinea Street are all Grade II listed. A collection of smaller Victorian buildings on the site are also listed meaning little or no work apart from restoration can be done to the exterior of buildings.

Although the first part of the hospital was built in 1833 various buildings have been added. The new owner has said it is too early to say what the plans will be.

Tim Sargeant, chief executive of City and Country, said: “Bristol General Hospital is our first major acquisition outside of our traditional area of the south-east and we are looking forward to bringing our experience and expertise in restoration to this exciting project.

“With its stunning waterside location close to the centre of the city we believe it will provide a new dimension to the Harbourside area.”

He added: “We will spend the next few months gathering a team which is appropriate for such a prestigious location and working closely with the community, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol City Council and English Heritage to draw up plans for this landmark building.”

“Securing such a high-profile and historic building is another step forward for City and Country in fulfilling our vision for the company.

“Through our specialisation in the conservation and restoration of heritage buildings we have seen strong growth over the past year and we are keen to continue to ensure architecturally important buildings remain in valuable use.”

The hospital is currently being used as a rehabilitation hospital for the elderly and stroke sufferers and treats patients from Bristol and North Somerset. It has 77 inpatient beds and outpatient facilities including clinics, physiotherapy, and a day assessment service for the elderly.

There is also a sleep clinic and a sleep studies department. When it closes in the spring of next year the care of the elderly and rehabilitation services will be moved to the new South Bristol Community Hospital. The rest of the services are likely to be moved to the BRI.

Deborah Lee, director of strategic development for University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Bristol General Hospital’s been an important part of Bristol healthcare delivery for more than a century and it’s therefore important for the city and for future patients that the healthcare services continue to be provided but that they’re provided in a modern and appropriate environment. South Bristol Community Hospital will provide such accommodation. Before ownership is transferred to City and Country we’ll have an open day for local people to come and look round the building as well as capturing its important role in the provision of healthcare over the decades through a memory project.”

Andrew Scott, from BNP Paribas Real Estate which marketed the site, said: “This was a major, high-profile instruction, regarding this key city centre development opportunity and we’re thrilled to have agreed terms on the sale of the property to a developer with an outstanding reputation as ‘best in class’ for sensitive restoration and regeneration. Bristol General Hospital’s one of the largest redevelopment sites in the city and we see it as a potential catalyst to stimulate the wider regeneration of western Redcliffe.”

The developer will have to apply for planning permission and building work is not expected until 2014. As previously reported in the Evening Post, money from the sale of the General Hospital will go to the redevelopment of the Bristol Royal Infirmary.