York, North Yorkshire

“A sensitive reimagining of a 19th-century building”

Alma House was originally constructed as a Victorian police station with three holding cells and two dwelling houses for resident officers, on the periphery of York’s city centre. Occupying a prominent position at the corner of Alma Terrace and Carey Street, it spans some remarkable 3,617 sq ft and has been carefully repurposed, honouring the building's fabric throughout. The home’s arresting, stylised architecture is well-balanced with contemporary additions; classical proportions and exposed brickwork are complemented with a refined selection of paints and a high-specification material palette.

The Tour

Alma House is fully detached and presents a striking mottled red-brick frontage, with symmetrical arched windows and decorated chimneys. Iron railings and a low brick boundary wall shape the approach to the house, and open to a welcoming reception room. From here, a series of smooth, sculpted arches complement the original proportions and lend a wonderful sense of flow between the living spaces.

The finishes are excellent throughout: terrazzo flooring is fitted with underfloor heating and runs across the ground floor, while features by renowned Italian designers include Listone Giordano oak flooring (throughout the first floor), GranitiFiandre marble surfaces, and sanitaryware by Antonio Lupi. A coordinated architectural lighting scheme by Davide Groppi runs through the home, lending each room its own atmosphere.

Anchoring the plan is a bespoke Abimis commercial-grade kitchen set within the former police cells, lending an exceptionally functional professional workspace in an unusually characterful setting. Here, arresting stainless steel units are fitted with top-tier appliances. An adjoining dining room has an open-view window overlooking the kitchen, lending a decidedly industrial touch; meanwhile, the walls are washed in a deep mauve to intimate effect. Glazed doors open directly from here to the courtyard garden.

At the rear is a self-contained guest suite with its own private entrance, kitchenette and en suite bathroom, providing excellent flexibility for guests or multi-generational living.

Elsewhere, a separate utility and WC beyond constitute a practical element of the design, while a designated bar room and three separate living areas allow for versatile living.

The first floor is accessed via two separate staircases, where there are four king-sized bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms are appointed with en suite bathrooms, while the rest are served by a capacious shared bathroom.

The bathrooms have a creative approach to materiality, including a glass bathtub and basins in one. Crisp white is paired with rich mid-century tones, and high-quality finishes include Aquaelite showers, creating luxurious, spa-like spaces.

Smart technology epitomises the home's contemporary design, with underfloor heating by Nu-heat and a commercial-grade hot water system, Cat6 cabling, a Loxone home automation system, and MVHR.

Outdoor Space

An enclosed south-facing courtyard garden sits at the rear. Tall red-brick walls create a wonderful sense of privacy, and there is ample space for outdoor dining. A private driveway provides off-street parking for two to three cars and includes an electric charging point.

The Area

Alma House lies within York’s Fishergate neighbourhood, within walking distance of the city’s historic centre. A variety of independent shops, cafes and restaurants are all close by. A short walk away is the green expanse of Rowntree Park, with the banks of the River Ouse running through it.

York is celebrated for its Roman and Viking heritage, with cultural spots including York Minster and the city’s historic walls. To the rear of York Art Gallery are the beautiful botanical landscapes of the Museum Gardens, and beyond, the landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, The Moors and Bronte Country are within easy reach.

Nearby schools have a brilliant reputation. St George’s Catholic Primary School and York Steiner School are a short walk away. Popular private schools in York include St Peter’s School and Bootham School.

York Station is around a 10-minute drive from the house, with direct trains to Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh and London King’s Cross St Pancras.