The installation of the last section of the ward building was celebrated in a topping out ceremony
Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire has completed its first new building, continuing the move away from its image as an outdated Victorian institute.
District House is one of five in a £242m overhaul of the Crowthorne site.
Broadmoor spokeswoman Lisa Upton said the “old Victorian estate” was “not fit for purpose for delivering modern mental health care”.
Among its 210 patients the psychiatric hospital houses criminals including Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe.
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Infamous killers Peter Sutcliffe and Graham Young are associated with Broadmoor
At a topping out ceremony Ms Upton, from West London Mental Health Trust (WLMHT), said the NHS was “getting an awful lot of hospital” for the money, with five new buildings, new wards and new therapy buildings”.
She added: “It’s going to be a huge improvement.
“The living accommodation will be modern, it will be safe and secure.
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In 1965 Broadmoor inmates destroyed part of the roof as a protest against conditions
“The risk to patients and staff will be reduced because of improved sight lines and the modern technologies.”
Broadmoor’s Grade I listed gatehouse will not be demolished, the trust has said.
The high security site is infamous for housing the country’s most notorious criminals who have committed crimes due to their mental state.
Serial killer and schizophrenic Sutcliffe was convicted of murdering 13 women and attempted to murder seven others in 1981.
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West London Mental Health NHS Trust
Broadmoor’s Grade I listed gatehouse will not be demolished
In the past the hospital, previously called Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, also housed murderer Graham Young in 1962 after he was convicted of poisoning members of his family.
Current patients will remain on site throughout the redevelopment, which will be completed in 2017.
Three more open days on the progress of the site will be held on 8 and 10 September at Crowthorne Library, and 10 September at Meadows Shopping Centre in Sandhurst.