York’s historic Mansion House marked the completion of the first phase of its restoration this morning (Tuesday), just in time to welcome visitors back for its 300th anniversary tomorrow.
The £1.3 million restoration, which began in November 2024, aims to preserve the iconic civic building and while enhancing accessibility for visitors.
The 300-year-old Georgian landmark is one of the earliest civic buildings in England constructed in the classical style. Work on the building began in 1725 and was completed in 1732.
Led by Buttress Architects, the project was split into two phases. The now completed first phase, focused on protecting the fabric of the building following a comprehensive inspection. This included external repairs and improvements to accessibility.
The inevitable wear and tear of the Georgian structure, particularly its roof and external facades, was improved, with further work planned in the second phase.
Environmental performance of the historic building has also been improved through measures such as draught proofing windows and upgrading insulation.
Accessibility has been a main focus, with an upgraded lift to ensure all floors are wheelchair accessible. Redecoration work has refreshed the stairway and drawing room, ahead of the installation of newly commissioned wallpaper.
Speaking to YorkMix, the Lord Mayor of York, Martin Rowley, highlighted the significance of these improvements:
“It’s a historic building in a modern world, and we understand the importance of ensuring that every floor is accessible.
“Now we have a new lift system, which means that every floor is wheelchair accessible. A modern society can’t in any way, even in these historic buildings, discriminate against those that are disabled, and we want to make sure it is open for all.”
Reflecting on the project’s progress, Hannah Bellerby, project architect from Buttress Architects, spoke about some of the challenges the team encountered:
“One challenge we faced was the external facade of the building, when we took the lead work off that was due to be replaced, we found that the stonework was actually in much poorer condition than we expected, and so we needed to find some saw some stone for repairs very quickly, under programme constraints.”
Fortunately, help came from another iconic York institution.
“We were able to collaborate with the York Minster team and they supplied the stone that we needed, which was a geological match to our stone. That really saved the day for the project, and allowed us to finish on time.”
Cllr Peter Kilbane, Executive Member for Culture at City of York Council, praised the project tea for delivering the first phase successfully:
“We’re on budget and on time, which for a project of this complexity, takes quite a lot of doing. So all credit to the people who’ve been involved.”
He also highlighted the building’s future potential:
“It’s great to be maintaining this for future generations, and I personally couldn’t think of a better wedding venue in the city if somebody is looking for a rather splendid and quite affordable venue!”
Phase two
Phase two of the project will continue to enhance the building’s external features and will include:
- Works to the passageway leading to the Guildhall including installing sympathetic lighting
- Pointing the external brickwork and replacing defective bricks on the west-facing wall
- Complete work to stabilise and clean the existing render on the north-facing wall
- Hanging the drawing room’s new wallpaper which is being reproduced using 18th century fragments found during Phase one
- Completing works to the roof
- Repainting the railings on St Helen’s Square.
For more information about York Mansion House, visit the website here.
More pictures of the Mansion House below.
