Competition: York city walls

The contract is divided into two lots – each worth £500,000 – with the first covering conservation architecture and the second involving conservation engineering. The winning architect will create a refreshed conservation management plan for the ruins, which mostly date from the 13th and 14th centuries.

The team will also carry out a series of repairs and improvements to the Scheduled Ancient Monument which spans the city and includes several landmark gates and other elements such as the Multangular Tower, first built by Constantine the Great in 310–320 AD.

In its brief, the council says ‘the city walls (and St Mary’s Abbey precinct walls) are a major feature of the City of York’s historic environment and are well used by residents of, and visitors to, the city.

‘The council retains a team of skilled stonemasons to carry out works on the walls and has committed £1 million to the conservation needs of the city walls over the next three years. The authority wishes to award a contract, or two separate contracts, for the provision of heritage consultancy and conservation architecture services and conservation engineering services.’

York was founded by the Romans as the walled fortress of Eboracum in 71 AD. These walls were later demolished and rebuilt by Danes during the 9th century. The current structures, which survived demolition attempts in the Victorian era, date from the 13th and 14th centuries.

The latest project comes almost two years after the ditching of plans by Hugh Broughton Architects to build a visitor centre at the base of the keep of Clifford’s Tower in York. Last summer, local practice DC Architecture revealed plans for a Roman visitor attraction in York alongside more than 200 flats, a hotel and retail outlets.

Alison Brooks Architects defeated Stanton Williams; Purcell Architecture; Simpson and Brown; and Wilkinson Eyre to win a contest to masterplan the redevelopment of York Castle Museum one year ago. Earlier this month, a report in the Sunday Times claimed the city’s Allies and Morrison-masterplanned York Central could host a new home for the House of Lords.

The deadline for applications is midday, 11 March.

How to apply

View the contract notice for more information

Contact details

Chloe Wilcox
City of York Council
West Offices
Station Rise
York
YO1 6GA

Email: Chloe.Wilcox@york.gov.uk
Tel: +44 1904551307