Surrey County Hall, Grade II Listed

Pringle Richards Sharratt have been working for Surrey County Council (SCC) leading a multi-disciplinary design team to develop architectural proposals for the future use of their County Hall in the Royal London Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.

Surrey County Hall is an important and substantial Grade II Listed building close to the civic centre of Kingston. It is however no longer within the county boundary of Surrey. In a drive to ‘Move Closer to Residents’ approved by SCC cabinet in April 2019, the building was left standing empty in early 2021.

Working closely with agents Avison Young and Planning Consultants Bidwells and AECOM we have developed a heritage led mixed use scheme to redevelop the whole site and maximise its potential for the benefit of Kingston.

Our work has included carrying out a detailed assessment of the building and its context, extensive public consultation during COVID as well as engagement with numerous key stakeholders such as the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, the Greater London Authority, Historic England and various nearby higher education providers.

Following completion of a detailed Heritage Appraisal and Heritage Impact Assessment a residential led mixed use scheme emerged that can provide up to 300 much needed new residential units within this designated ‘Opportunity Area’ of London. A new public flexible use is being developed for original more significant 1893 part of the building. To the south and north the unsightly 1960s Surry Staff Club and 1980’s brutalist redundant Computer blocks are demolished and replaced with new high quality 6 storey residential block.

The whole development is currently being developed to target Passive House standards including sensitive retrofit detailing to improve the envelope as well as the inclusion of MVHR systems throughout. Landscape design is also considered of the utmost importance to ensure the whole development ultimately enhances the setting of this significant local landmark.