Gorgeous Georgian's £1 million makeover

A 5,500 sq ft Georgian townhouse in the centre of York, whose £1m restoration has been a labour of love for its current owners, has been put on the market with a £2.25m price tag.

Four-storey Gillygate House, which was formerly a GP practice, was bought by local entrepreneurial couple Carol and Bruce Simpson in 2015. Carol knew the property well as she ran the industrial cleaning business that was contracted by the surgery.

“I already knew every nook and cranny of the building and I loved it. I could see what amazing potential it would have if it could be restored back to a family home rather than a workplace,” she said.

Carol took on the role of project manager for the two-year-long transformation of Grade II* listed property, which was built in 1769 and has dramatic views of the Minster and city walls.

In the 18th century the house was described as being “very well finished”, with the ceiling in the first floor “saloon”, now the drawing room, picked out for particular admiration. Wood and plasterwork around the doors, ceilings and fireplaces are attributed to renowned master carver Thomas Wolstenholme and almost all of the building’s original features have been preserved intact.

Carol, who found herself scraping more than 15 layers of wallpaper off the walls in order to return them to their original condition, has created a sense of opulence and warmth in her restoration of Gillygate House.

Rare for York city centre properties, Gillygate House also has a large garden that backs onto the city walls.

Having lived in the property for two years, the Simpsons are selling to relocate to Spain. “Everyone says that the house has a beautiful warmth about it and a lovely feel,” said Carol. “Its magnificent scale makes it a fantastic place for parties and we had an amazing Christmas here. We’re really sad to sell Gillygate House.”

Toby Cockcroft,of Croft Residential, which is marketing the property, said: “Gillygate House is simply one of the finest townhouses that York has to offer and the renovation of the property had been outstanding. A historic property of this size and quality – and in such a jaw-dropping location in the shadow of York Minster itself – comes on the market very rarely indeed and needless to say we have had a great deal of interest already.”

www.croftresidential.co.uk or call 01904 238222.

* Gillygate House has six bedrooms, four bathrooms, five reception rooms. There is also a large garden and contemporary annexe.