Bishop Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1

Architecture & History
Mitre Court House is a rare Grade II listed building in the heart of Portsmouth, dating from around 1840 and forming part of the city’s rich architectural and maritime heritage. Originally constructed as a stable block, the building retains the character and craftsmanship of historic Portsmouth, with its period brickwork, arched openings, generous proportions and original detailing creating a sense of character that is increasingly difficult to replicate in modern development.

What makes Mitre Court House particularly interesting today is the contrast between its historic architecture and the possibilities it offers for its next chapter.

This is not simply a period building to admire. Its generous proportions and versatile arrangement create an opportunity to create something genuinely individual, whether that means a substantial private residence, a professional headquarters, a creative workspace, a mixed-use property or a live/work environment.

For an owner-occupier, there is the opportunity to live within a piece of Portsmouth’s history while having space to work, run a business or create a studio environment under the same roof.

For an investor, there is an additional layer to the proposition. Mitre Court House is currently registered as a House in Multiple Occupation and is stated to generate £1,900 per month in rental income, providing an established income stream while allowing a future owner to consider the building’s longer-term potential.

That combination of heritage, income and adaptability is what sets the property apart.

The building has the architectural character of a historic Portsmouth property, but the flexibility to serve a very modern purpose.

Subject to the necessary planning and listed-building consents, the property could lend itself to retaining and optimising the existing rental model, creating a distinctive live/work property, establishing a professional or creative headquarters, or exploring a residential or mixed-use future.

For anyone looking for a property with more than one possible future, Mitre Court House offers that.

It is a building where the architecture provides the identity. And the next owner provides the vision.

 

Local Area & Transport
Mitre Court House occupies a particularly well-connected position on Bishop Street, placing it within easy reach of Portsmouth city centre, Portsmouth Harbour, the Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays and the wider waterfront.

The location is one of the property’s strongest fundamentals.

Portsmouth is a city defined by its relationship with the sea, and Portsmouth Harbour remains at the centre of its identity. The harbour connects the city with Gosport and the Isle of Wight while supporting a wider maritime, commercial and visitor economy.

For Mitre Court House, proximity to Portsmouth Harbour means much more than simply being close to the water. It places the property within one of the city’s most important transport, employment, leisure and visitor hubs.

Portsmouth Harbour railway station provides regular services towards London and the south coast, with direct services to London Waterloo taking around 90 minutes. The station is also ideally positioned for the Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays, the Spinnaker Tower and ferry connections to the Isle of Wight.

The nearby Hard Interchange further strengthens the location, linking Portsmouth Harbour railway station with local bus services, National Express coaches, the Gosport Ferry and Isle of Wight services.

For someone living and working from Mitre Court House, this connectivity is particularly compelling. Clients, colleagues and visitors can reach the property by rail, road, bus or ferry, while residents have the city’s waterfront, restaurants, leisure and cultural attractions close at hand.

For an investor, the same connectivity supports a broad potential tenant market, with Portsmouth’s established employment base sitting alongside its significant tourism and visitor economy.

The surrounding waterfront is home to some of the city’s most recognisable destinations. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose, sits close to Portsmouth Harbour, while Gunwharf Quays brings waterfront shopping, restaurants, leisure and marina facilities together beneath the Spinnaker Tower.

Portsmouth City Council reports that the city attracts more than 11 million visitors each year, with the Historic Dockyard and Gunwharf Quays among its principal attractions.

This creates a particularly strong combination for a property of this type: historic surroundings, a working harbour, waterfront leisure, major visitor attractions and excellent transport connections, all within the same part of the city.

Portsmouth is also much more than a visitor destination. It remains an important naval, commercial and employment centre, with the Royal Navy, defence, engineering, aerospace, technology and other major employers contributing to the wider Solent economy.

For Mitre Court House, that diversity is important. The property is positioned within a location that works for people who want to live, work, invest or create something different.
Ultimately, the appeal is the combination of the building and its setting: a characterful Grade II listed property with existing income and genuine flexibility, positioned close to
Portsmouth Harbour and within easy reach of the Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays and the city’s principal transport connections.

It is a location that gives the property relevance beyond its walls, and a building that gives the location something distinctive in return.

 

Material Information 

• Heating type: Gas central heating
• Utilities: Gas, electricity, mains, sewerage & broadband
• Gas Supply: Independently supplied by British Gas
• Electricity supply: Independently supplied by UNKNOWN
• Water supply: Provided by Portsmouth Water
• Sewerage: Mains connected by Southern Water
• Broadband: Standard Download speed 16mbps; Upload Speed 1mbps. Ultrafast available (d/s & u/s 5500Mbps). Source: Ofcom
• Mobile signal/coverage: Likely external cover with all major networks. Variable internal cover linked to EE & Vodafone. Source: Ofcom
• Restrictions: Grade II Listed – Listing no 1386836. Also located within Portsea Conservation Area.
• Flood risk: Very low of any type of flooding. Source: uk
• Coastal erosion risk: None as property is 0.6 km from the sea. Source: uk
• Planning permission: Historic planning permission from 2011. The wider area has ongoing planning activity, including residential development and alterations to historic buildings. Source: uk
• Accessibility/adaptations: Not suitable for wheelchair users
• Coalfield or mining area: No. Source: The Coal Authority
• Flight path: No major commercial aircraft flight path identified directly over the property

 

EPC rating: D. Tenure: Freehold, Known building safety issues or planned/required works: None known at time of listing. Planning permissions: Historic planning permission from 2011. The wider area has ongoing planning activity, including residential development and alterations to historic buildings. Source: uk Mobile signal information: Likely external cover with all major networks. Variable internal cover linked to EE & Vodafone.