Thorp Arch was the brainchild of Howard Wilkinson, who became manager of Leeds United in 1988 and realised that the club needed a modern, purpose-built training facility.

In July 2004, The Grange was sold to Sterling Investment Properties Limited, a company owned by David Newett, a businessman from Wetherby.

Six months later, The Barn and the training pitches were sold to Barnaway Limited, a company owned by Manchester-based businessman, Jacob Adler for £4.2 million, with the option of a re-purchase before 10 October 2009 for £5,828,131.

In the summer of 2013 new Leeds United manager Brian McDermott made a series of changes[8] to Thorp Arch including the main training field measured to the exact length and width of the pitch at Elland Road, an extension of the sprinkler system used at Thorp Arch and a “better flow” to the grounds including mixing the first team and development squads.

The Grange, which was only operational by the club from its opening in the early nineties until the turn of the Millennium, accommodated the academy players, offices and changing rooms.