York’s oldest railway structure to be refurbished into brass band HQ

There is little information on the uses of the building following the Second World War. More recently, the eastern extension was used as an artists' studio, with the space under the water tank repurposed as a gym.

The building had fallen into disrepair in recent years and is currently unoccupied.

The restoration project will include repairing internal and external elements of the water tower like-for-like, to meet conservation standards using materials which match the original as closely as possible.

Once completed, it will provide the York Railway Institute Band, currently located next door, with a rehearsal space with an accessible toilet, kitchenette and an instrument store. 

The building's second unit will be 'white boxed' for potential future tenants.

The building sits within the £25m York Station Frontage regeneration project, which requires the demolition of the current York Railway Institute Band’s rehearsal space.

Network Rail will now compile a full funding package and choose a contractor to deliver the project.

Mike Stancliffe, Network Rail's principal development manager, said: “This Queen Street site was historically associated with the development of the railways and is now a focus of educational, sporting and recreational activities associated with the York Railway Institute, so this site is well-suited to re-house the band practice room.

“The water tower is of considerable historical interest. It is currently in a poor condition but it’s a striking building and can still have a big future.

“Providing the band room here means they won’t have to move very far at all, while also preserving an important piece of York’s railway heritage.”

Chris Smith, trustee of the York Railway Institute charity, added: “It’s an exciting project which we have been working on with Network Rail for several years.

“Hopefully we can agree terms for a new lease which will enable the scheme to proceed and breath life back into an important listed building. If we can finalise the lease, it will secure the long-term future of the three Railway Insititute bands.”