Former Surrey County Council Headquarters Sold to Luxury Developer

The previous headquarters of Surrey County Council has been acquired by luxury property developers. Planning permission has been granted for the construction of 292 new residences on the site. London Square purchased the former County Hall, located in Kingston, from RER London. The transaction price remains undisclosed, following the property’s listing earlier this year. Spanning 5.2 acres, the property encompasses the primary Grade II listed County Hall, along with various other structures and courtyard spaces. Adam Lawrence, London Square’s chief executive, stated: “Once restored and converted into elegant homes, County Hall Kingston will become a unique offering for those looking to make this sought after royal borough their home.” According to construction signage at the site, prospective occupants are anticipated to take residence starting in 2027. Existing planning consent permits 256 private apartments, in addition to 36 units designated for affordable housing, and 47,447 sq ft (4,408sq m) of commercial area. London Square indicated that the refurbishment, restoration, and expansion efforts are set to “transform” the historic location into a “premium development.” In March, the council faced criticism regarding its 2021 sale of the site to RER London for £25 million. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the property’s value could reach up to £250 million once redeveloped. During a council meeting held in March, Natalie Bramhall, the cabinet member for property, waste and infrastructure, stated: “I actually think we secured a good deal and would again sell at that price.” She informed the meeting that planning application expenses would have surpassed £1 million, and achieving the full £250 million valuation would have necessitated an additional expenditure of “hundreds of millions” on the site.