One of Cornwall's most famous buildings has been sold

Work could soon start on the historic building which has stood empty for years

One of the most famous buildings in Cornwall, which has stood empty for years, is due to finally get a new lease of life.

Acting on behalf of Kroll Advisory, Miller Commercial has announced the sale of Old County Hall, Truro, to Cornwall-based Triple D Construction, for an undisclosed sum.

Located on Station Road in the city, Old County Hall is a prominent Grade II listed landmark dating from the early 20th century. Built between 1910 and 1912, the building is designed in a Neo‑Georgian style and is best known for its historic role as the former headquarters of Cornwall County Council, a function it served until 1966.

It has had a history of sales and unsuccessful planning proposals over the past decade and more.

Thomas Hewitt, of Miller Commercial, who handled the sale, said: “Old County Hall is an iconic Truro building and it is encouraging to see it secured by a buyer with plans to bring it forward for renovation.

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“The retained original features offer real character, while the extensive land to the rear, with consent already in place for additional development on part of the car park, provides further opportunity.”

We have contacted Launceston-based Triple D Construction to ask what the company’s plan is for the building.

Sixty-three homes have been approved for the rear of Old County Hall with another 53 expected to follow. Those properties will be built by Cornwall Council’s development company Treveth.

After the council moved into its new offices – New County Hall / Lys Kernow – just up the hill on Treyew Road in 1966, Old County Hall continued to be used by the Cornwall Record Office until its relocation to Kresen Kernow, Redruth, in 2019.

Old County Hall was bought from Cornwall Council by Nigel Carpenter, owner of St Michael’s Resort in Falmouth, in 2012 for £1.2 million.

Planning permission was granted in April 2013 to convert it into a 42-bedroom boutique hotel and spa at an estimated cost of £10 million. However, Mr Carpenter then placed the property on the market for £3 million in 2015.

Old County Hall was later snapped up by newly-established developers Wolf Rock Cornwall Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

In August 2023, plans were approved by Cornwall Council on behalf of applicant Peter Woods, of OCH Residential Truro Limited, to convert Old County Hall into student accommodation in 17 “cluster units”. They were to be offered to students under the management of Falmouth Exeter Plus (FXPlus), the organisation which manages and delivers services at Penryn, Falmouth and Truro university campuses.

Nothing ever came of the proposal.

A planning application by Acorn Blue to convert Old County Hall to provide 34 residential apartments alongside a new building to provide 45 residential apartments, which was submitted in 2021, was withdrawn today (Friday, May 1).

Property consultants Alder King marketed the building for £3m in 2023 before Miller Commercial took it on in 2024 with a sale price of over £2.6m. It has not been disclosed how much Triple D Construction has bought it for.

The property retains a wealth of original architectural features, including a grand central entrance, sash windows, a distinctive roof with a cupola and well‑preserved interior details such as the main staircase, parquet flooring and vaulted corridors.

The building was originally designed around a central council chamber, adding to its historic character. Lightfoots acted for the seller, with Squire Biggs representing the buyer.

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