Image Source: Ashleigh Morris
La Brea Magistrate’s Court – Old Section

Image Source: Ashleigh Morris
Image: Eastern Section of La Brea Magistrate’s Court after renovations 

The National Trust wishes to congratulate the TTPS project management division and the La Brea Police Youth Club on the recent completion of renovation works conducted on the La Brea Magistrate’s Court. La Brea Magistrate’s Court is a fine example of colonial architecture in southwest Trinidad. This iconic building initially housed the La Brea Assize court while the Magistrate’s Office and Police Station were added during subsequent phases of construction beginning in 1887. The La Brea Magistrate’s Court functioned as the central hub for legal and administrative affairs in La Brea until 2009. Recently, the La Brea TTPS hosted a team from the National Trust to guide renovation works aimed at creating a space for activities of their Police Youth Club. They understood that when doing work on heritage properties or buildings 50 years or older, it is advisable to consult with the National Trust to ensure the preservation of essential heritage assets.

This project is an excellent example of adaptive re-use, one of the approaches the National Trust encourages to allow heritage assets to be preserved while also supporting the needs of current stakeholders. We hope that this effort extends to the remainder of the structure and the nearby equally important structures such as the La Brea Warden’s Office.

Image Source: Ashleigh Morris 
Image: La Brea Warden’s Office Interior

Image Source: Ashleigh Morris 
Image: La Brea Warden’s Office

Image Source: Ashleigh Morris 
Image: La Brea Warden’s Office