Structural appraisal underway

Structural appraisal underway for York’s largest independent bookshop

Mason Clark is excited to be involved in the transformation of a historic listed building in the heart of York into what will become the largest independent bookshop in the country. The project, led by Topping and Company Booksellers, will see the restoration of 1 Museum Street, a Grade II listed property that was formerly home to the city’s visitor information centre.

At this early stage, we have conducted an initial structural appraisal to assess the integrity of the building and its capacity to support the additional load of the proposed bespoke bookshelves. With plans in place for handcrafted bookcases, rolling library ladders, and space for over 75,000 titles, ensuring that the existing floors can safely accommodate these changes has been a key focus of our assessment.

Our role as structural, civil, and conservation engineers means we will be working closely with the project team to preserve the building’s historic character while enabling its adaptation into a functional and welcoming bookshop. Over the coming weeks, we will be progressing into more detailed design work to support the next phases of the renovation.

The plans, which are currently with City of York Council for listed building consent, aim to restore and enhance the building’s elegant spaces, opening them up for public enjoyment. The transformation will not only bring new life to this historic property but also create a cultural hub for book lovers in the city, complete with a year-round programme of author events.

We look forward to continuing our work on this exciting project and ensuring that the building is structurally prepared for its new chapter as a thriving literary space in York.

Follow our LinkedIn page for further updates as we move into the next phase of the design and conservation process.