Historic Walton Street Building Given New Lease of Life

The opening of a new apartment development in Aylesbury town centre marks the completion of the redevelopment of a prominent former council building.

The County Apartments, officially opened on Saturday 30 May, have transformed the former Buckinghamshire County Council offices in Walton Street into 46 one- and two-bedroom homes. Delivered by Oakford Homes Ltd, the scheme retains the building's 1920s façade and a number of original features.

The development sits alongside other recent town centre projects, including the first phase of the Pavilion Quarter and the pedestrianisation of Cambridge Street.

The County Apartments scheme forms part of wider plans to increase residential use within Aylesbury town centre and bring underused buildings back into use. The approach is intended to support local businesses and increase activity in the town centre.

The opening comes as Buckinghamshire Council seeks investment to support future development in Aylesbury. In May, the council presented its Aylesbury Town Centre Investment Prospectus at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 2026. The prospectus outlines development opportunities and identifies areas where external investment could support future regeneration projects.

Julie Ward, Buckinghamshire Council's Deputy Cabinet Member for Resources & Town Centre Regeneration (pictured above with Sebastian Kemp, Director of Oakford Homes and Nichola Kemp from Oakford Homes), said:

"The opening of the County Apartments is a visible sign of the progress we're making in Aylesbury and the wider regeneration of the town centre. It shows how we can successfully bring buildings back into use while creating high-quality homes in a central location.

"Just as importantly, it demonstrates the kind of investment and partnership working we want to build on. Through our Town Centre Investment Prospectus, we are actively seeking the right investment partner to help us deliver our long-term vision for Aylesbury—one that creates a vibrant, sustainable town centre that works for our communities and supports future growth."

Sebastian Kemp, Director at Oakford Homes, said:

"At The County Apartments, we've taken great care to celebrate the building's unique heritage while introducing style-conscious homes for the way we live today. Retaining features like the marble staircase and birdcage lift was important to us as they give the scheme its unique identity. At the same time, the new addition allows us to bring homes to the heart of Aylesbury at this exciting time for the town."