[3][4] By the 1830s, the tolbooth was dilapidated and it was decided to commission new public buildings: a site was selected in Hope Street.

[5] The new building was designed by Hugh Marr in the neoclassical style, built in ashlar stone and was completed in 1836.

The design of the courthouse involved a symmetrical main frontage of five bays facing onto Hope Street.

The central section of three bays, which was slightly projected forward, featured three round headed windows on the ground floor.

The outer bays were fenestrated in a similar style and, at the corners, there were rusticated pilasters also supporting the entablature, cornice and balustraded parapet.