De Grey Rooms, St Leanards Place, York, YO1 7HE

Constructed in 1841 and designed by noted regional
architect G T Andrews, The De Grey Rooms are a striking
example of Regency architecture, distinguished by their
grand façade and commanding street presence.
The property comprises a two-storey building with
extensive basement, finished in white-painted render
with sash windows, a balcony to the first floor, and a flat
lead roof with lantern feature.
Internally, access is via a central entrance hallway, with
two office areas leading off either side. The entrance
hall provides access to the principal staircase, service
staircase, lift, WC facilities, and a rear office suite located
on a mezzanine level above the basement. From the
mezzanine, the basement can be reached, where an
office area sits beneath the mezzanine and opens into
a succession of storerooms finished with a mix of tiled
and stone floors, painted walls and ceilings, and energy
efficient lighting. The basement is also accessible via
both the lift and the service staircase.

The first floor - reached by either staircase or the lift -
is dominated by the main hall/ballroom, the defining
feature of the building. This magnificent space is a
grand, two-storey-high rectangular ballroom with
an expansive floor space and a striking lantern light
overhead that floods the room with natural daylight.
Decorative panelling and refined cornice detailing
enrich the walls, creating an elegant and historic
atmosphere. At the eastern end, a minstrel-style
gallery overlooks the ballroom, enhancing its sense
of drama and ceremonial scale.
Adjacent to the ballroom is the bar area, which continues
the theme of quality finishes with panelled walls,
and a corniced, painted ceiling. A series of service
rooms - including WCs, a kitchen, and an office area
- are conveniently positioned off the main ballroom,
supporting its use for events and gatherings.

The De Grey Rooms are located on
St Leonard’s Place, York’s only
Regency-styled street, distinguished
by its elegant crescent of white-rendered
buildings. Set within the historic city
walls, St Leonard’s Place is widely
regarded as one of the city’s most
prestigious addresses.
St. Leonard’s Place forms one of the main
York thoroughfares / transport routes,
delivering seamless access to all areas of
the city, the outer ring road, and regional
routes.
The building sits:
• Adjacent to Bootham Bar to the north
• Beside York Theatre Royal to the
south
• Opposite Exhibition Square, York Art
Gallery, and The King’s Manor
York Minster, Museum Gardens,
city-centre retail, hotels, dining, and
transport hubs are within easy walking
distance, ensuring visibility, convenience,
and strong customer flow.

York continues to demonstrate one of the strongest city-centre economies
in the North of England.
With 9.4 million visitors (2024), a thriving evening economy, established
cultural institutions, and strong regional and national connectivity, the city
provides an exceptional platform for commercial operators in hospitality,
culture, workspace, and events.
Key strengths include:
Robust visitor numbers supporting year-round footfall
Strong night-time economy driven by dining, entertainment, and
cultural attractions
Award-winning heritage city with exceptional brand recognition
Strategic rail links: London <2 hours; Leeds/Manchester 20–60 minutes
Diverse occupier base across culture, education, digital, creative and
professional sectors