New chapter for Old Crown Court in Wakefield, as it becomes The Court House

Work is well under way to breathe new life into Wakefield’s iconic Old Crown Court building. Creating a new commercial and cultural destination at the heart of the city’s Civic Quarter.

The 200-year-old historic grade II listed building is set to include a bar and restaurant, workspace, community hall, and creative studios.

Yorkshire-based developer Rushbond, in partnership with Wakefield Council, is driving the reinvention of the landmark 25,000 sq. ft building. The Court House is designed by Group Ginger and is being delivered on site by Mulberry Construction Group. This follows Mulberry’s successful conversion of the Old Police Station, just across the road from the Old Crown Court.

Jonathan Maud, Founder and Chairman of Rushbond said: “When complete, the Court House will be a place for the people at the heart of city, where they can work, create and spend time. This building that once represented civic authority will become a welcoming and creative space for the people of Wakefield and the region to enjoy.

“Together with the new homes we are delivering close by and the Council’s wider regeneration plans, we’re cultivating a new era for Wakefield city centre, elevating its growing reputation as a modern place to live, work and play.”

Built in 1810 and extended in the 19th century, the Old Crown Court has stood vacant since the early 1990s.

Early key work on the Old Crown Court has now been completed, and structural work is currently underway.

This redevelopment will unlock its potential as a flexible and future-facing space.

Hoarding is in place to protect the public while work continues. The careful restoration of the historic internal fabric has now completed, and work will continue to upgrade and modernise the interiors, including installing a sustainable ventilation and heating system.

Rushbond appointed Mulberry to carry out the work as part of its wider regeneration of the Civic Quarter. The contractors also delivered the award-winning conversion of the Old Police Station into new apartments; part of Rushbond’s residential Wood Street Collection community just across the road from the Court House.

The redevelopment of the Old Crown Court is expected to complete in early 2027, opening to the public soon after.

For more information on this and other regeneration projects happening across the district, visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/regeneration

For information:

About Rushbond PLC

Founded in 1986, property investment company Rushbond PLC has led the transformation of a wide range of projects and developments across the Yorkshire region, by adopting a careful and considered approach to designing sustainable places, fuelled by innovation and creativity.

Rushbond’s core philosophy is to create exceptional places of value for all. Working in collaboration with partners, occupiers, and local people, Rushbond creates distinctive and meaningful places where communities thrive across the office, retail, leisure, hospitality, education, and residential sectors.

Whether developing new homes (through its housebuilding arm, Fallowdale Homes) and workspaces, re-purposing important heritage locations, reimagining and breathing new life into existing buildings, Rushbond endeavours to support the inclusive growth and ambition of Leeds and Yorkshire as a leading region for the UK.