Cambridge County Council has placed part of its Shire Hall headquarters in Cambridge city centre up for sale.
The building was the council’s administrative centre from its construction in 1933 to 2022, when it relocated to Alconbury. The site has been the seat of government in Cambridge for more than 1,000 years and was previously home to two medieval castles.
The council will consider offers for the site, which comprises the original Shire Hall, the Octagon the old police station, Castle Lodge and public car parking, at a meeting in June. Councillors will not only review the financial bid made but whether the offer delivers environmental and social benefits.
The site is suitable for a range of different uses and due to its historic importance all proposals will require full planning, listed building consents to ensure protection of the assets.
Simon Williams, head of UK investment at BNP Paribas Real Estate, which has been appointed to market the opportunity, said: “The Shire Hall site lies within a sustainable mixed-use location, providing a rare opportunity to develop the site for a variety of alternative potential uses, including offices and laboratories, hotel, residential, student and senior living, subject to the necessary consents.
“Cambridge benefits from one of the fastest growing economies in the country – we’ve seen it fast establish itself as a hub for global companies and start-ups, amongst others. Its proximity to talent, vast opportunities for rental growth and low availability of space makes it a highly sought after destination. As a result, we anticipate strong interest in this substantial investment and development opportunity.”
John Macmillian, head of assets at Cambridgeshire County Council, added: “Shire Hall is a unique and historic site in Cambridge city centre – opportunities to acquire a site of just over three acres in this central location do not come around very often. Sitting prominently on Castle Hill, Shire Hall has real character and massive potential for an exciting development.”
Lucy Nethsingha, leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Since bids were originally invited for Shire Hall in 2018, we have lived through the international Covid-19 pandemic and we’re still feeling the effects of a national cost-of-living crisis. Even against these challenging conditions the city of Cambridge has continued to experience unprecedented growth.
“Acquiring this central Cambridge site, which had been a seat of local government since Norman times, remains a really exciting opportunity for investment and development. I’m looking forward to selecting a commercial partner that’s right for this historic location, right for Cambridge residents and right for our county’s tax-payers.”
