More details revealed about two new York rooftop bars with Minster views
They’ve already achieved the Impossible. Now the people behind York’s newest bar have revealed more details about the next stage of their development.
Impossible Wonderbar and Tea Rooms opened in December, before lockdown was imposed again, in what was Carluccio’s on St Helen’s Square.
But owners Tokyo Industries want to develop more of the building, specifically:
- fitting out the rooms next to what was the Terrys boardroom on the second floor
- turning the existing flat roof there into a terrace bar, with new stairway access
- turning the three storey vacant buildings at the back into a bar and restaurant, accessed from an existing alleyway
- and creating another bar on this section of the roof.
“Both the front and rear areas of the site have existing flat roofs with 360 degree views across York city centre and out towards York Minster,” say planning documents.
“The new roof terraces have been treated with a very light touch, with a minimal, virtually invisible transparent glazing and steel guard rail perimeter designed specifically to avoid conflicting with the existing skyline.”
They say they want to bring the buildings back to life. “In summary the design intent is to express the true character of the historic site while ensuring it has a new life to be enjoyed by the public who have not previously had access to these areas.
“It is our intention to work closely with York City Council Planning and Heritage officers to see these unknown hidden treasures of York come back to life.”
An application to license the entire establishment has been challenged by North Yorkshire Police, who say there are nine bars in total which would add to crime and disorder in the area.
Work is underway to create another rooftop bar in York – on top of what is becoming the Malmaison York hotel in the old Aviva building on Rougier Street.
This is due to open in spring.
You can see the Impossible York planning documents here.