Each property is brilliantly crafted by renowned architects and designers, from Norman Foster to Frank Gehry. The buildings are typically located next to but separate from key hospitals and feature carved-out relaxation areas, treatment rooms offering holistic services such as gentle massages and counselling, and communal spaces for group workshops, support sessions and events. There are currently 27 Maggie’s Centres operating across the world, with eight new sites currently in development. Our editors have selected some of their favourites below.

This was the organisation’s first property, which opened in November 1996. The centre is situated on the grounds of the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, and was designed by Richard Murphy OBE with landscaping by Emma Keswick. The property repurposed the old stable blocks that once stood on the site, with features such as traditional Scottish stonework designed to preserve the site’s history and heritage. The building is open-plan, light, and minimalistic, encouraging visitors to feel at peace and emotionally open in the space.  There are now a number of Maggie’s Centres in Scotland, including in Dundee (below) and Aberdeen (pictured in the hero image).

The first UK property of renowned architect Frank Gehry, with landscaping by Arabella Lennox-Boyd, this cottage-styled building on the grounds of Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, opened in September 2003. The structure, modelled from the traditional Scottish ‘butt and ben’ dwellings, features a warped steel roof in Gehry’s signature style. Surrounding the property are lush green lawns and a stone labyrinth, which was created by Lennox-Boyd as an allegory for life: each route leads to another and there are no dead ends, you just have to trust the process. In another area of the garden is a sculpture by celebrated artist Anthony Gormley, entitled ‘Another Time X’. Moving and empowering, this property is a steadfast symbol of resilience.

Designed by Ab Rogers of Ab Rogers Design with landscaping by Piet Oudolf, this site on the grounds of The Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, opened in October 2019. The vibrant, red building and tactile furnishings were designed to comfort and uplift visitors, encouraging creativity as a means of alleviating the pressures of treatment.

This property was the first overseas Maggie’s Centre and very much a family affair. Chosen due to Maggie’s childhood links with Hong Kong, the building was another Frank Gehry-designed building with landscaping by Maggie and Charles’ daughter, Lily Jencks. The centre opened in 2013 on the grounds of Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a glistening lake. Designed to provide a blissful oasis for patients and caregivers, the site aims to help visitors feel inspired to face the challenges that cancer presents.

A visit to a Maggie’s Centre whether in Edinburgh, Dundee, Sutton, or Hong Kong, offers a chance to experience architecture at its most personal and uplifting. If you're in search of accommodation in any of these locations, you can find nearby hotel options curated by ASMALLWORLD Collection.