Architecture

2000 Years of Outstanding Architecture

The architectural styles of two millennia vie for pride of place throughout ancient York. Stonegate alone has examples of buildings dating from the Norman to the Victorian eras. Fragments of the Roman city survive, of course, and the Minster, which took generations to complete, contains perfect examples of Norman and Gothic work.

From Haphazard Medieval to Elegant Georgian

Which is most typical of York? The higgledy-piggeldy medieval houses in Goodramgate (dating from 1316 and the oldest in the city), the Tudor splendour of the King’s House, once home to the court of King Henry VIII, or the Georgian elegance of Fairfax House, the Red House (now a popular antique shop and restaurant) and the Mansion House, official residence of the Lord Mayor? The answer is probably that the haphazard mixture of styles is the making of the city. Certainly the charming, simple, black and white and quintessentially medieval-looking St William’s College looks even more attractive juxtaposed with the magnificence and awe-inspiring scale of the Minster. Many of the city’s buildings have Georgian or Victorian facades and timbered structures behind them, which are a reminder of a lost part of York's history. In many cases the timbers are from ships – when the city’s role as a port declined, laid-up vessels on the quaysides formed a ready source of building material.

Fairfax House

This house can be dated to 1750, when York was at the height of its popularity among the leisured classes. The architect John Carr created a special home for his client, the ninth Viscount Fairfax of Emley, who moved from London to enjoy York’s cultural ambience. This building, the finest of Georgian residences exudes elegance and wealth. Open to the public Feb-Dec.

Guildhall

Traditionally, the city’s administrative centre, the Medieval Guildhall is a reminder of the power and influence once enjoyed by York’s craft guilds. They effectively controlled the trade in the city and in looking after their members' interests, could be considered as forerunners of our trade unions. The present building, hidden by the Mansion House, dates from the 15th century and occupies the site where the Romans built the first Ouse Bridge. In 1942 the building was restored after being hit by a German bomber.

Merchant Adventurer’s Hall

Completed in 1362, the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall remains one of the best-preserved medieval buildings in the country. The Merchant Adventurers were the most important of the many guilds in the city. For centuries they had a monopoly over the sale of imported goods. The building reflects its importance, being the largest timber-framed building in York. Today the building houses a popular restaurant and café and doubles as a conference venue.

Treasurer’s House

The post of Treasurer was created in the 11th century by York’s first Norman Archbishop, Thomas of Bayeux, on finding the Minster's affairs in disarray. It became the Treasurer’s responsibility to manage the Minster – even matters as mundane as keeping the altars supplied with candles – and overseeing repairs. The building we see today was built on the site of the original Treasurer’s House. By the time the present building was built (late 16th, early 17th centuries) it was a private residence. Frank Green, a wealthy local businessman, not only renovated the house but also left his outstanding collection of antiques to the National Trust. Open to the public March-October.

Kings Manor

This intriguing building was built around 1270, as the residence of the abbot of St Mary’s Abbey. Since that time it has served many roles. Though never actually a royal residence, it has seen many royal visits, including Henry VIII with his wife Catharine Howard and James VI of Scotland. The Council of the North was established here, by Charles I, making York effectively the 'capital' of the North of England. With its peaceful courtyards, gabled roofs, decorative doorways and imaginative brickwork, this is one of the city’s most evocative buildings.

New from Old

‘Recycling’ – creating something vibrant and new from something redundant – is a York speciality, and the much-admired new City Screen complex by the banks of the Ouse is an excellent example. A disused newspaper headquarters led the way for an imaginative revamp of the whole riverside area. Newly restored buildings sit comfortably with those of Medieval York.

Borders bookstore and café in central York is another example of melding old and new. The result is a bright and welcoming space, which is entirely 21st century and yet fits perfectly into historic Davygate. Bookworms browsing the volumes might be surprised to learn that builders found considerable evidence of their Roman forebears while converting the store, and changed their plans accordingly so as to preserve as much of the original Roman building as possible. Another example of York’s new-meets-old architecture in action!

For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org