To help protect and maintain an important cultural asset for the city, York Mansion House will undergo £1.2m maintenance, accessibility and safety improvements and will reopen in 2025, 300 years after its original construction began.
One of the earliest civic buildings to be built in the classical style in England, the Mansion House is the official seat of The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of York, and holds an important collection of items connected to the history of the city over the past 800 years.
Work to build the house began in 1725 and was completed in 1732. The last major restoration was done in 2015-17, and the upcoming works will be a significant investment in the House.
This refurbishment aims to address essential maintenance tasks which include repairing wear and tear to the building and to prevent any further deterioration in the historic roof, walls and windows. It will also include important upgrades to the lift to improve the accessibility and environmental performance of the historic building, and decoration works will also refresh the interior where structural work is required.
The Mansion House will close temporarily on 10 November, when the contents will be safely stored. This will be done with the help of students who will gain valuable practical experience of working in a historical building. Staff will oversee the work, continue with outreach education work and carry out research on the House and its contents.
Starting in early 2025, the works will be overseen by Buttress Architects which will provide specialist heritage consultancy and conservation architecture. During the project they will lead a team of experts including conservation architects and mechanical, electrical and structural engineers.
The Rt Hon, The Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Margaret Wells, said:
“Investing in this beautiful historic building ensures it will continue to serve the city and its residents. It’s temporary closure will allow other historic venues to take part in the civic life of the city, such as holding citizenship ceremonies in the elegant Register Office on Bootham, and using Medieval Barley Hall to host the Sheriff’s Ridings.”
Pauline Stuchfield, Director of Housing and Communities, said:
“The Mansion House has been an essential part of the York landscape for almost 300 years, and it’s important it continues to be available for future generations of residents and visitors.
“We’re able to carry out these essential works to weather another 300 years of being key to the civic life of the city, a base for our civic party and ready to welcome royalty as it has for centuries.
“For hundreds of years the Mansion House has hosted some of the most important and significant events in the city and, once these improvements are made, the House will continue to play that role for decades to come.”
The last major works were carried out in 2015 when £1.2m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) helped deliver the most significant upgrades since the building first opened. The works included restoring the original kitchens, improving displays, developing an integrated environmental and conservation plan and preparing a detailed oral history project.
Hannah Bellerby, the project architect from Buttress Architects, said:
“As we approach the Mansion House’s 300th anniversary, it is a privilege for Buttress to lead the efforts in safeguarding this vital piece of York’s civic heritage. Our work focuses on not only preserving the building’s historical integrity but also working to ensure it remains accessible, sustainable, and fit for future generations. Through these planned restorations, we are ensuring that this significant landmark continues to enrich York’s cultural landscape for years to come.”
The project is due to be completed part way through next year, when it will reopen in time for Yorkshire Day on 1 August and a season of great events including the popular Georgian Festival. Meanwhile more of the city’s treasures can be admired at the Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum and York Art Gallery.
