Wakefield regen continues with Crown Court restoration
Rushbond is working alongside the council to turn the 25,000 sq ft former courthouse into a commercial and community destination, with designs by Group Ginger.
Construction work on the grade two-listed building is being carried out by Mulberry Construction Group and is set to complete next summer.
The work forms part of Rushbond’s wider regeneration work in the city, which also includes a 63 home neighbourhood in the surrounding Civic Quarter, known as Wood Street Collection.
This is made up of nine recently completed three-bed townhouses, built on a former council-owned car park at Gills Yard; the creation of 33 apartments at the former Wood Street police station; the conversion of Wood House into a four-storey residential property; and ‘Gills Mews’, 20 two- and three-storey new-build townhouses on the site of the former Rishworth Street car park.
The neighbourhood is being delivered by Fallowdale Homes, the housebuilding arm of Rushbond, which has appointed Mulberry Construction Group and Keepsake Construction as the lead contractors on the scheme.
The restoration of the Crown Court will bring together workspace, leisure, and community uses for the surrounding residents, and will allow the asset to be used for the first time in more than three decades.
Key features will include a new city-facing entrance and landscaped public terrace, a multi-purpose events space within the former courtroom, a restaurant/food hall with indoor and terrace seating, a café shop, co-working and studio spaces, and permanent public artworks, including a neon installation by Turner Prize-winner Martin Creed.
Jonathan Maud, founder and chairman of Rushbond, said: “Wakefield has an abundance of architectural jewels and the Crown Court is one of its most treasured sites.
“Our vision is to restore it as a focal point for the city, with creative workspace, leisure and event facilities and world-class public art.
“This project signals confidence in Wakefield’s future and helps reinforce the city as a place where culture, community and business thrive.”
Cllr Jack Hemingway, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, added: “This is one of Wakefield’s most iconic landmark buildings and preserving our historical assets is extremely important.
“Its restoration is a catalyst for growth in the Civic Quarter and brings fresh opportunities for living, working, and socialising in the city centre.
“We’re delighted to see work starting on site, marking its next chapter and complementing the creation of new high-quality homes in the area.”
