In the late 1870s, the student population of Leuven increased dramatically. As a result, the scattered buildings where medicine was taught were no longer adequate. After all, the law stipulated that the university had to have sufficient space for practicals and laboratories. To meet the need to erect new, suitable buildings, the university purchased an estate with a garden from a noble family. This estate was situated behind the already existing hospital.

Thanks to a donation from the Ultramontane Bishop of Liège, the drafting of the plans could begin that same year. A young professor affiliated with the Faculty of Applied Sciences was commissioned to design the building. Shortly thereafter, the building permit was approved by the city. Less than a year later, in 1877, the institute was inaugurated with great pomp.

The institute was built in the Neo-Gothic style and comprised an auditorium for 200 students with an adjoining dissection room. The campus was directly connected to the hospital located further to the northeast via the inner courtyard. Over the years, the complex was further expanded with auditoriums, laboratories, and dissection rooms.