County Hall in Oxford is officially being marketed for sale following decisions taken by the county council’s cabinet in January 2024 to move its headquarters to Speedwell House in 2027.
The building primarily comprises office accommodation and was completed in 1973. Old County Hall, dating from 1841, comprises the Council Chamber and Coroner’s Court and is listed as Grade II*.
The sale offers the opportunity for the council to move into modern, net-zero accommodation, enabling County Hall to be re-imagined by a new owner as part of the regeneration of the West End of the city centre of Oxford.
Receipts from the sale of County Hall will pay for the upgrading of Speedwell House, with decisions to be taken on how any surplus would be deployed.
The marketing approach to County Hall will not dictate or pre-determine the future use of the buildings and will be designed to encourage as wide a range of interest as possible.
Old County Hall is included in the marketing of the site and allows the council to assess market interest and make an informed decision about the future of the building.
All offers received will be reviewed in detail, with a shortlist of potential purchasers to be selected and interviewed to determine the deliverability of proposals. Decisions are expected to be made towards the end of 2024.
The move to Speedwell House
Under approved plans, the county council will move its headquarters to Speedwell House on Speedwell Street. These offices had for many years provided city centre office accommodation for the council in addition to County Hall. Work is being completed to strip out the building.
This means work can commence in the middle of 2025, with the intention to create a new net zero headquarters for the council, using sustainable technologies, including air source heat pumps.
The Speedwell House offices will be designed to maximise natural light and make the best use of technology. The building will be extended, and extra floors added to the current building.
Concept designs of Speedwell House include a new Council Chamber and Coroner’s Court in a building that is modern, fit for purpose and accessible.
There will only be minimal car parking at the site (for those with disabilities), with electric pool cars, secure bike storage and changing facilities provided for employees to support sustainable travel to and from work.
The building is close to the city centre with easy bus and train access and close to Thames Valley Police offices, the Magistrates Court and Crown Court with potential for shared use to save money for the taxpayer.
There will be an ambition for a 20 per cent biodiversity net gain.
Councillor Liz Leffman, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We took the momentous decision to move from County Hall in January, and since then, a lot of technical and professional work has been ongoing to progress the matter.
“We have now reached the milestone of marketing County Hall to potential buyers.
“County Hall is in a prime location in one of the world’s most famous cities, and we anticipate a wide range of interest from the UK and across the world.
“We believe that our decisions at County Hall and Speedwell House will improve the delivery of services and will help with the physical, social and economic regeneration of Oxford. We will use the move to stimulate this ambitious thinking for the city and the county as a whole.”
Councillor Dan Levy, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, added: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us not only to create a modern carbon-neutral office and a welcoming and comfortable space for our employees, councillors and residents, but also to help transform this part of the city and better support those using the area. We’re looking forward to seeing the new offices take shape and to moving in during early 2027.”
