Lord Mayor's residence to close for £1.2m refurb

The Mansion House refurbishment would address essential maintenance, City of York Council said

A landmark house dating back to the 18th Century which is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York is to undergo a £1.2m restoration.

The Georgian Mansion House is believed to be one of the earliest civic buildings to be built in the classical style in England and holds an important collection of items with connections to the city over the past 800 years.

The refurbishment would address essential maintenance, including wear and tear, as well as making other upgrades, a City of York Council spokesperson said.

The building would close temporarily on 10 November, at which point its contents would be safely stored with the help of local students until next year's reopening, they added.

The last major refurbishment to the Mansion House, which was built in 1725, was carried out between 2015 and 2017 and saw the restoration of its original kitchens.

The new work would aim to prevent any further deterioration to its roof, walls and windows, the council said.

It would also include important upgrades to improve the environmental performance of the building, while decoration work would refresh the interior where structural maintenance was required.

The banqueting hall is one of the highlights of the Georgian house

Councillor Margaret Wells, the current Lord Mayor of York, said: "Investing in this beautiful historic building ensures it will continue to serve the city and its residents.

"Its 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, City of York Council's director of housing and communities, said: “For hundreds of years, the Mansion House has hosted some of the most important and significant events in the city.

"Once these improvements are made, the house will continue to play that role for decades to come."

The Mansion House project was expected to be completed part way through 2025, when it would reopen in time for Yorkshire Day on 1 August, a council spokesperson said.