The final July case study from Block Compliance Ltd looks at a historic architectural specimen in York: known as St Leonard’s Place.
It is located on a curving street in York’s city centre, constructed in 1835 and completed by about 1842, stretching from Blake Street and Duncombe Place in the south up to Exhibition Square near Bootham and Gillygate in the north.
As you’d expect in York, the development is steeped in history
The street is built over the area once occupied by the medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of Northern England’s largest centres for care, charity, and the poor.
After the Reformation in the 16th century the site became known as Mint Yard, housing the Royal Mint before being cleared in the 1830s to make way for the new road and elegant residences.
The Georgian Crescent (Nos. 1–9)
This is a unified stuccoed terrace designed in Greek Revival style by John Harper, featuring stucco façades, paired pilasters, iron balconies, and a gently curving form. Interiors were individually designed by different architects including George Townsend Andrews and James Piggot Pritchett based on owner preference .
Originally let to high‑profile residents such as the York Subscription Library (No. 1), the Yorkshire Club (No. 5), local officials, architects and MPs.
The terrace was later used as council offices after 1933 until being restored to residential use in the 21st century.
De Grey House & De Grey Rooms
On the west side of the street beyond the terrace lies De Grey House (built 1835), followed by the adjacent De Grey Rooms (1841–42), designed by George Townsend Andrews. Built by public subscription under the patronage of Earl de Grey and the Yorkshire Hussars, they were intended for military mess dinners but also served as an events venue for concerts, meetings, and balls.
The De Grey Rooms remain a Grade II* listed building and are occasionally used by the York Theatre Royal as rehearsal space.
Workmen digging a drain in 1842 discovered a hoard of c.10,000 Anglo‑Saxon styca coins, now part of the Yorkshire Museum collection – a significant archaeological find known as the St Leonard’s Place hoard.
Recent archaeological discovery
In June 2025, a sinkhole on St Leonard’s Place (near York Theatre Royal) unexpectedly revealed buried remains of the 12th–13th-century St Leonard’s Hospital. Archaeologists stabilised the site and uncovered ancient brick structures just inches beneath the modern street surface. This remarkable discovery confirms the historical hospital’s location and temporarily paused roadwork for further investigation.
Walking the street today
It is easy to admire the elegant uniform curve of the terrace, peek into the Roman city walls near the garden behind No. 1–9, and view the Neo‑classical façades of De Grey House and Rooms.
The York Theatre Royal fronts onto the street and remains a key cultural venue, while the De Grey Rooms continue to support local theatre and events.
Beneath your feet lies layers of York history – Roman Eboracum, Medieval hospital grounds, Mint Yard, Victorian redevelopment, and now contemporary preservation and archaeology.
Our work there
Block Compliance Ltd carried out fire door surveys at this sumptuous site, close to York Minster, in conjunction with other passive fire protection work in York at The Residence, Hudson Quarter and Westgate Apartments.
If you like what you see and read, do contact Richard Dempsey and the team at info@blockcompliance.net for further information about our services and availability.
