An interesting redevelopment of an old building has recently taken place on Clifford Street at the junction with Peckitt Street in York. Most of the development is new, but the striped wall to the left is the remains of Trinity Methodist Chapel, built in 1856.
At that time this part of the city was only just being developed. To the left of this shot, a row of new terraced houses had been built in 1851. The street that runs past this building to the right, Clifford Street, wasn't opened until the early 1880s, following the demolition of a grand mansion known as Clifford House, and it was planned as a major access road into the city centre.
The chapel was used until 1935, when the declining number residents in the city centre, and the healing of divisions in the Methodist Church led too a reduction in the number of churches needed by the Methodists.
At that time the city council were looking for a site for a fire station, and this old church seemed ideal. The long wall facing the camera was replace with a new one with large doors to give access to the fire engines. The new fire station served the city for 75 years, but that too moved, and a new redevelopment opportunity was available.
The site has now been redeveloped as apartments, with most of the old chapel building, except the attractive wall to the left, being demolished and rebuilt. The ground floor was planned as a restaurant, though that plan has fallen through.
There has been much criticism of the design, but I quite like the finished result.
Neat capture of this renovation...The only thing I might have done differently with the new portion is to have put low-pitched roofs on the dormers. Great narrative
I like how it blends with the old chapel brickwork. Glad they managed to save at least some of the original building. We have a number of disused village Methodist chapels in our area, some have been repurposed and at least one has been left to fall into disrepair.
The old building will have a few tales to tell! It's good that part of it was integrated into the new building - and the overall effect does not offend the eye at all.
I think it looks great and goes together very well with the old. I am sure the church was beautiful and glad some of the exterior wall is still standing. A nice job.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
I find it fascinating that the old chapel has been repurposed twice. Although very little of the chapel remains, I'm pleased that what remains has been incorporated in this building.
fav
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
I find it fascinating that the old chapel has been repurposed twice. Although very little of the chapel remains, I'm pleased that what remains has been incorporated in this building.
Ian
Thank you Vesna, I'm pleased that you like it.
Ian