Elegant Georgian home is given a new lease of life for 21st century

35 St Saviourgate, York. Price: £950,000. Contact: Savills, York, tel: 01904 617818, www. savills.co.uk THIS gorgeous Georgian is one of York’s most desirable properties but it was anything but when Serena Lang bought it in 2012.

It was one of two town houses that had been carved up into three flats in the 1960s.

“We lived in York and we were looking for another house when this property came on the market.

“The flats had been split horizontally across the two houses and so there was a lot of work needed to bring the properties back to how they were originally,” says Serena.

Some of the period features had been preserved, though many, including the original staircases and windows, had been lost.

Serena, a seasoned renovator, hired a joiner to recreate a Georgian-style staircase with hand-turned spindles. She also used traditional lime plaster, repaired original cornicing and installed new, wooden sash windows. The kitchen units are bespoke and were made by local craftsman Peter Thompson.

“We wanted to preserve the features that were left while making the house comfortable for modern day living.

“It made for a really exciting project, especially when we went into the attics, which were like a museum. They hadn’t been touched for 150 years,” says Serena, who adds: “It was difficult at times. We wanted to use lime plaster because it’s better for the building but you have to love it. It took about three months to do but there were lots of high points like when we took the old fire escape down. That made all the difference to the exterior of the property.”

The grade two listed house for sale now has an entrance, drawing room, dining room, breakfast kitchen, utility room and cloakroom on the ground floor.

Upstairs, there is a master bedroom with en-suite, four further bedrooms and three bathrooms,

Outside, there is a courtyard garden and two single garages. The garages have been topped with a “green” sedum roof, which

We couldn’t bear to rent it out. It’s just too nice. It needs a loving owner.

acts as a rain sponge and as insulation.

Serena, who lives in the other renovated town house next door, was planning to let number 35, but decided to sell.

“We spent so much time and money on it we couldn’t bear to rent it out. It’s just too nice. It needs a loving owner,” she says.

Estate agent Tanya Coffey, of Savills, says: “It’s a perfect combination of Georgian design and contemporary influences. It also has views of the Minster.”

St. Saviourgate is in the popular conservation area of Aldwark and is tucked away within York’s city walls. The area is a target for househunters across the country who want to be close to all the city has to offer, including shops, restaurants, the racecourse, theatres and renowned schools, including St Peter’s and Bootham. York’s railway station offers regular services to London King’s Cross, some of which take under two hours.