Turner Home

Located on Dingle Lane in the heart of Toxteth, Liverpool, the Turner Home stands as a testament to care and architectural heritage. Originally established in 1884, the Turner Home was envisioned as a sanctuary for chronically ill and disadvantaged men. Designed by renowned Gothic Revival architect Alfred Waterhouse, the Grade II listed building has long served as a cornerstone of residential and nursing care in the region.

The site as found is a remarkable story of continuity and change. The building and the organisation have adapted to new models of care, extended to increase capacity, and maintained a complete Waterhouse building for over 140 years. This continuity and change is not a completed project; Waterhouse built for the ages, and each generation is asked how the estate may respond best to the needs of its residents in their time. We would like to credit Pete Carr for a selection of the photos below.

The landscape within the site curtilage may be viewed as a linked set of character areas. These areas may be defined by their direct relationship with a building, by their intrinsic character and contribution to the setting, or by a combination of these aspects.

MGMA Architects were commissioned to explore the potential for sensitive and sustainable development within the curtilage of the property. This comes after a prior design study that centred on the renovation and modification of the Grade II listed Gate Lodge, the Eric Fisher wing, and the Grade II listed Waterhouse Building. The proposed masterplan comprises nine distinct character areas, each defined by its architectural relationship, intrinsic character, and contribution to the overall setting.

The development includes adapting the Gate Lodge with a rear extension while preserving its historic façade, Dingle Head into a new-build designed to blend with the landscape, the South Terrace to have accessible garden rooms and a terrace to support wellbeing, and the Eric Fisher Wing to be rebuilt with a larger footprint to expand care capacity and meet modern standards.

This redevelopment aims to balance heritage conservation with contemporary care needs, ensuring that Turner Home continues to serve the community with dignity and purpose. The project not only enhances the architectural legacy of the site but also reinforces its role as a beacon of support for vulnerable individuals in Liverpool.