56 Skeldergate
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Skeldergate House Hotel is a Grade II* listed building in the
Bishophill Bishophill is an area of central York, in England. It lies within the city walls and has been occupied since at least the Roman period. Etymology Known as "Bichill" by 1334, the name was also recorded as "Bychehill Lomelyth", "Lomelyth" being ...
area of central
York York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...
, in England. An earlier house at 56
Skeldergate Skeldergate is a street in the city centre of York, in England. The street is now primarily residential, with many of its warehouse buildings having been converted into apartments. History During the Roman Eboracum period, the area in which Ske ...
was purchased by Ralph Dodsworth in 1769. In 1777, he became Sheriff of York, and it is believed that this inspired him to commission John Carr to design him a new house, large enough to entertain groups. Dodsworth died in 1796, and the house was let to the merchant Thomas Smith, who purchased it in 1807, then sold it to William Cooper in 1825, for £900. His son later brought it into business use. In 1925, a carriageway was constructed through the building, to provide access to the rear yard, leading to the demolition of some rooms and a rear service wing. In the mid-20th century, the house was owned by Hans Hess, director of
York Art Gallery York Art Gallery is a public art gallery in York, England, with a collection of paintings from 14th-century to contemporary, prints, watercolours, drawings, and ceramics. It closed for major redevelopment in 2013, reopening in summer of 2015. T ...
. In the property, he hosted guests including Charlie Chaplin,
Benjamin Britten Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten (22 November 1913 – 4 December 1976, aged 63) was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He was a central figure of 20th-century British music, with a range of works including opera, other ...
and Cleo Laine. It later became a hotel, more recently, part of Middletons Hotel. In 1998/1999, the carriageway was filled in, restoring the building to its original appearance. As part of the restoration, it became the hotel's conference suite, and more recently has been converted into nine bedrooms and a lounge. The three-storey building is built of brick. Most of the windows in the main front are original, as is the door and doorcase. Inside, most of the original fittings of the left-hand ground floor room survive, along with a late-19th century fireplace. The entrance hall also has original plasterwork, and some survives in the stair hall and first-floor landing. The staircase has been completely rebuilt, using some original furnishings.


References

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