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Whilst I’m all for keeping an existing building that’s part of the York City Centre than necessarily building a new one – any campaign aiming to “Save” the White Swan will need to clarify what it should be saved for. Wishing it was “used for something” is lovely, but without offering a realistic alternative it seems a little moot.

It’s a derelict building (and not a particularly desirable one it would seem with it’s rather cheap-looking seaside-esque faux wattle and daub) – unlike the Bonding Warehouse which is a rather beautiful riverside building. It’s not so much about “saving” it – as I don’t think anyone wants to keep it as it is. The campaign should be to have it repurposed. This would mean renovation, remodelling, and likely enormous internal restructure to make it fit for modern use.

However – isn’t that what people have been attempting to do for decades now? If there is no investor willing to renovate – and two decades suggests there is not – then how long can such an enormous plot lie derelict?

It could also be argued that a plot that size, in such a central location, simply isn’t viable as a single commercial property in a modern city centre. Significant re-purposing as shops and flats would bring enormous building work to a city centre junction regardless. Even if it were reopened as a hotel again – that would only happen with enormous modernisation work. If the building simply isn’t fit – and more importantly isn’t realistically going to be used as it is – isn’t there a point when we have to allow the architects and town planners of the present their chance to take a dead space and develop the future face of the city?

They pulled down an old building to make way for the Minster. Perhaps, in the absence of other real world options, it’s time to let the Swan go too?

Discuss!

Hi, and thanks for commenting! This is my first article for OneandOther, and I’m pleased it’s sparking debate.

I agree with you that it’s too big to be repurposed as a single use building. Borders has only just been taken over, and that was still in good condition internally. It makes sense to split it up into multiple units; maybe a bar, some shops, and hollyort’s bicycle park The area the hotel stands in was part of the Coppergate Redevelopment plans, which called for multiple units anyway; it’s obvious that whatever happens to the Swan that’s the practical solution for the space.

The advantage of splitting the Swan into multiple units rather than demolishing it and starting over is that once the interior is made safe units can be developed at a pace to match the funding. Should finance fall short, always a risk during a recession, the completed units will allow the site to make money even if the project is incomplete. If you demolish and start again from scratch there’s a risk the building may be left unfinished, impossible for anyone to use.

On top of that, the problem with demolishing the building is the impact that will have on the city centre. Chaos on York’s already busy roads, dust covering one of the city’s busiest shopping streets, the potential volume of the work… Frankly, it wouldn’t make me keen to hang around Pavement or Parliament Street, and I can’t imagine the tourists would either. The last thing we want is to drive business /away/ from the area!

Whatever happens it’s going to be a huge project, but at least if the current building retains its exterior intact the worst of the work can be hidden away.