in 1909, plans were drawn up for a new "quiet and chronic" block to relieve overcrowding in the male wards at the claremont hospital. plans were prepared by the public works department under the direction of then principal architect hillson beasley, and acting principal architect william hardwick. x block, as it was known then (now fortescue house), was constructed at the site that eventually became graylands hospital. the block was placed in an isolated position, adjacent to the dairy farm, and approximately to the east of the main claremont hospital for the insane site. similar in plan to the main hospital, this block had a central core incorporating a kitchen, a dining hall, a doctor’s residence and small rooms for the head attendant, with two wards located on either side of the core area. two rotundas that provided shelter for patients were constructed in the outdoor area on either side of the kitchen. the four separate free-standing wards and the core buildings were connected by means of timber framed covered walkways. each ward had a separate single-storey bathroom and latrines building located on the eastern elevation. x block was completed by 1910–11 at a cost of £24,789 and accommodated 150 patients, who worked in the adjoining farm, associated gardens and orchards located on the hospital site. the x block wards were originally open wards, with patients on an honour system to be inside by 10pm.