A military presence had existed on the site since 1882 when the 1st West York Royal Engineer Volunteers moved from their previous headquarters at John Street in the suburb of Highfield into a large house with adjoining piece of land at the corner of Glossop Road and Gell Street.

On 11 July 1906 an appeal was launched by the Corps Commander Lieutenant Colonel Edward Tozer to help finance the new building.

The West York Royal Engineer Volunteers' ownership of the new building was brief, as the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 had been passed by Parliament earlier in the year and came into effect on 1 April 1908.

The drill hall at the barracks has been used for various exhibitions over the years and also hosted regular professional wrestling matches at one time.

[5] Up to the early 1990s the barracks were the headquarters of the 106 (West Riding) Field Squadron Royal Engineers (Volunteers) and the University of Sheffield Officers' Training Corps.

[6] Turnell built the barracks in the Renaissance style, with the main materials being red brick with ashlar stone dressing.