The restoration and remodelling of the Grade I, II* and II Listed York Guildhall has been shortlisted for a 2024 RTPI Yorkshire Award for Planning Excellence.
York Guildhall is one of the city’s most significant heritage assets dating from the 15th century, with a prominent position on the north bank of the River Ouse. When City of York Council resolved to move out of the Guildhall in January 2012 securing an appropriate, sustainable and beneficial future use for the riverside complex which had been the seat of city governance for over 600 years became a key concern for the city. A venue was envisaged to support and nurture the expansion of York’s vibrant businesses.
There was a core requirement for modern flexible office space and the associated provision of multipurpose space to suit a variety of potential uses such as co-working/ conferencing/ meeting and events and exhibition space. The complex also needed to accommodate elements of commercial space, including a restaurant and cafe bar, to provide support to the core uses and assist financially sustainability.
The existing buildings were on the Heritage at Risk register and the tower in particular was in need of significant stabilisation works. The Guildhall itself needed to be comprehensively refurbished to improve its usability; specifically including new heating and electrical services. The Guildhall forms one of the key tourist views in York, so the new element had to be sensitive to its surroundings, and planners wanted noise and visual impact to neighbours kept to a minimum.
Burrell Foley Fischer’s scheme, through sensitive planning and an understanding of the balance between new and existing, volume and space, has met the Council’s brief. A comprehensive refurbishment of the existing buildings, together with strategic new build interventions has re-purposed the complex for a new sustainable use.
The site contains a series of intimate, linked public spaces, connected by small “ginells” and the new build elements include the continuation of this language, to create a new riverside courtyard / garden across two levels of river front terraces, while improving public access and the general quality of the public realm throughout the complex.
