The structure, which was the headquarters of Merionethshire County Council, is a Grade II* listed building.

[1] The first county building in the town was the old courthouse (Welsh: Y Sospan) in Queen's Square which was built in rubble masonry and completed in 1606.

However, by the early 19th century the justices decided it was too small and sought a more substantial structure.

[2][3][a] The building in Smithfield Street was designed by Edward Haycock in the neoclassical style, built in ashlar stone at a cost of £3,000 and was completed in 1825.

[1] The building continued to serve in a judicial capacity as the venue for the courts of assize, with the justices alternating their weekly hearings between Dolgellau and Bala.