Situated on the Southwest corner of Richmond’s Capitol Square with a clear view of the venerable Capitol Building, the new Commonwealth Courts Building is set to become a defining presence in the Commonwealth’s civic landscape. As Architect of Record, Baskervill collaborated with Courts Design Architect Fentress Studios to design the 295,000-square-foot structure, reinterpreting contextual civic forms through a contemporary lens to create a purpose-driven home for Virginia’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

The new 14-story facility is designed from the ground up to meet today’s judicial needs. The architecture respects the scale and legacy of its surroundings, rising in stepped volumes from its public Bank Street entrance, while materiality and detailing reflect the weight of its purpose—timeless, enduring, and resolute. A dedicated staff entrance along Main Street will further connect the site and strengthen the building’s presence within the urban context. Inside, the building will host public areas along with six courtrooms, justices’ and judges’ chambers, training rooms, and offices. A law library and Judicial Learning Center will extend the building’s role, transforming it into both a working courthouse and a place of public engagement.