A First Look at The Retreat, York

by | Jul 10, 2026 | Blog, Current Developments, Sales Information, Uncategorised, Updates

10

July 2026

A First Look

at The Retreat, York

There’s always a moment in every development when the vision starts to become reality and at The Retreat, York, we’re delighted to be approaching that milestone.

Behind the scenes, our team have been hard at work preparing our first show home, bringing together the thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that define every PJ Livesey development.

We can’t wait to welcome pre-registered clients through the doors later this summer for an exclusive preview.

First Reservations Taken

From the very beginning, The Retreat has attracted significant interest and we’re delighted to announce that we’ve now taken the first reservations within our Phase One release of newly built homes.

It’s a wonderful response to a beautiful development that combines contemporary living with one of York’s most historic and distinctive settings and we’re looking forward to sharing even more of the transformation over the coming months.

Be Amongst the First to Visit

Our upcoming Show Home Preview Event will offer an exclusive opportunity to experience The Retreat before it officially opens to the wider public at the National Launch later in the Summer.

If you’d like to be amongst the first to explore this remarkable development and receive an invitation to our exclusive preview event, we’d love to hear from you. Register your interest and be part of the next chapter in The Retreat’s story.

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A Prize with a Purpose

by | Jun 26, 2026 | Blog, Community, Current Developments, St. James Hospital, Portsmouth, Uncategorised, Updates

26

June 2026

A Prize with a Purpose

Celebrating Portsmouth’s People and Community

As part of the Portsmouth 100 celebrations at this year’s Picnic in the Park, we wanted to do something that celebrated the city’s rich history and it’s people.

Our ‘Guess Who’ competition challenged visitors to identify 10 famous faces from Portsmouth, with the chance to win a hamper filled with locally sourced treats. It proved to be a real hit, with more than 50 people taking part throughout the day and plenty of friendly competition along the way.

We’re delighted to congratulate our winner, Lucy – Fundraising Administrator at The Elizabeth Foundation.

Winners Choice

What made Lucy’s win even more special was discovering that the hamper will now support the charity’s upcoming Summer Fayre raffle, helping to raise funds for the incredible work they do with young deaf children and their families.

The Elizabeth Foundation provides specialist support to help young deaf children develop listening and language skills, giving them the best possible start in life – Find Out More Here >

Knowing that our competition prize will now contribute to such an important cause is something we’re incredibly proud of.

The Heart

Community has always been at the heart of what we do, and events like Picnic in the Park are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the places where we work and the people who make them so special.

We’ll soon be visiting The Elizabeth Foundation at their centre within QA Hospital to learn more about the incredible support they provide and we’re looking forward to sharing more about their work.

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand, took part in the competition and helped make the day such a success. It was a fantastic way to celebrate Portsmouth’s centenary, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event.

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Heritage Living Reimagined

by | Feb 11, 2026 | Blog, Current Developments, Sales Information, Uncategorised, Updates

11

February 2026

Heritage Living Reimagined

The response has been outstanding

Kings Gate, Macclesfield is a truly exceptional development where history, heritage and contemporary living come together seamlessly. Set in a prime location, this thoughtfully restored scheme has transformed the former King’s School into an elegant collection of homes that honour the past while embracing modern design.

A Development with History

The site, formerly known as King’s School, holds an important place in Macclesfield’s architectural heritage. Two substantial historic buildings have been carefully restored and converted into an exclusive range of mews homes and apartments, alongside the beautifully renovated Gatehouse at the entrance.

The Gateway of Remembrance – commissioned in memory of former pupils lost in the Second World War – have been restored and re-erected on the edge of the former cricket field creating a grand sense of arrival.

Every detail has been considered to preserve the character of the original structures while introducing high-quality finishes and contemporary layouts suited to modern lifestyles.

A Thriving New Community

The response to King’s Gate has been outstanding.

Phase I and II which featured a collection of newly built homes and beautifully restored heritage buildings have been completely sold, with homeowners now settled and enjoying life within this distinctive and character-rich setting.

The final phase – comprising of six newly built energy-efficient mews homes and thirteen apartments – has also seen strong demand. With all but thee properties now reserved, the opportunity to join this exclusive development is quickly drawing to a close.

This is now your final chance to secure a home within this prestigious development.

Watch our twilight update video below

The Final Three Homes Available

Plot 102, Show Apartment – Priced at £374,950
A beautifully designed two bedroom first floor apartment featuring, private balcony, dual-aspect living/dining room with German engineered kitchen. This property also includes two parking spaces with EV charging.

Penthouse 302, Duplex Show Home – Priced at £599,950
An impressive three bedroom duplex penthouse offers exceptional space and specification including two private roof terraces, an expansive living/dining/family room with high-specification German engineered Nobilia kitchen. There are also three generous double bedrooms, two featuring en-suites. This property also includes two parking spaces with EV charging.

Watch video tour below.

The Dobson, Mews Show Home – Priced at £549,950
An exceptional four bedroom, three storey energy efficient Mews home with dedicated parking for two vehicles and EV charging. This stunning property offers bright and spacious living/dining area, bespoke kitchen and flexible top floor space with roof terrace and utility room. Also includes private garden, solar panels, triple glazing and A-rated EPC.

Watch video tour below

A Rare Opportunity

With only three properties remaining, King’s Gate represents a rare opportunity to become part of an established and sought-after development in Macclesfield. The remaining properties include carpets, lighting and blinds*. Blending restored heritage architecture, new energy efficient homes, premium German-engineered kitchens and a prime location, King’s Gate offers something truly special.

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Honouring The Past, Shaping The Future

by | Oct 13, 2025 | Blog, Community, Current Developments, News & Events, Uncategorised

10

October 2026

Stories of Mental Health

Voices from the past

To mark World Mental Health Day, The Retreat York hosted two inspiring creative workshops that gave new life to the voices of three 19th century psychiatric patients whose words have echoed across time.

Led by local artists in collaboration with the Borthwick Institute for Archives, the sessions invited participants to explore original poems and unsent letters written by patients at The Retreat.

Funded by Mentally Fit York, these powerful documents became the catalyst for an afternoon of art making, kite building, and open conversation – connecting York’s past approaches to mental health care with the stories and experiences of today.

A Powerful Setting for Reflection

Heritage Events and Engagement Manager Lucy South described the workshops as “a fantastic event in the perfect setting to mark World Mental Health Day. Seeing archive items in the Recreation Hall where their stories began felt incredibly special – and watching the artworks take shape, alongside the conversations they sparked, was genuinely moving.”

From Archives to Art Collection

The creative outcomes from the workshops – including artworks and kites inspired by the historic writings – will now become part of the University of York Art Collection, ensuring these rediscovered voices continue to inspire reflection, empathy and understanding for generations to come.

By bringing together heritage, creativity, and community, The Retreat York continues to celebrate its remarkable history while fostering meaningful dialogue about mental health – past, present, and future.

If you’d like to hear about upcoming events or about the first release of upcoming homes, register your interest and you’ll be added onto our mailing list.

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Yorkshire Philosophical Society Lecture

by | Oct 6, 2025 | Blog, Current Developments, News & Events, Uncategorised

06

October 2026

The First 60 Years

The building of The Retreat, York

Celebrating History and Community at The Retreat York

Last week, The Retreat York had the pleasure of welcoming 50 members of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society (YPS) for a captivating afternoon exploring the origins of one of York’s most significant historic sites.

The event featured an insightful lecture, Building The Retreat: the first 60 years (1794–1854), delivered by Dr Victoria Hopgood, architectural historian. Her talk delved into the remarkable early years of The Retreat’s creation, revealing the enduring Quaker values and visionary leadership of its founder, William Tuke, whose pioneering approach transformed mental health care across the world.

A Living Connection to York’s Past

Among the audience was Emma Darbyshire, a history student from York St John University, who is currently writing her dissertation on The Retreat’s history. We’re delighted to be supporting her research as it develops – a testament to our ongoing commitment to education, heritage, and community engagement.

It was wonderful to see such genuine enthusiasm for the story of this extraordinary place. The event also sparked great interest in The Retreat’s evolving heritage programme – with ten guests joining our Heritage mailing list and several more taking away information about our current restoration and development work.

Looking Ahead: A Hub for Knowledge and Culture.

This inaugural lecture was run as a pilot in partnership with the YPS, and the response could not have been more positive. Plans are already underway to host a series of future lectures and events exploring themes across natural and social sciences – bringing fresh opportunities for conversation, learning, and discovery within the walls of this historic landmark.

We’re thrilled to see The Retreat once again becoming a vibrant part of York’s cultural and intellectual life, connecting its rich past with a dynamic future.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us – we look forward to welcoming you back soon for more inspiring events.

If you’d like to hear about upcoming events or about the first release of upcoming homes, register your interest and you’ll be added onto our mailing list.

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York Unlocked to 120 Heritage Homes

by | Sep 1, 2025 | Blog, Community, Current Developments, Featured, New Properties, News & Events, P J Livesey News

01

September 2025

Opening the Doors

850 visitors arrived as part of the city wide York Unlocked event

For the first time in its long history, the public were able to explore this extraordinary site – a place that has overlooked the city for more than two centuries. With 30 acres of landscaped grounds, a peaceful atmosphere, and views stretching to York Minster, it was a rare opportunity to step behind the walls and discover one of York’s hidden landmarks.

A Day of Discovery

The event, organised and promoted by York Unlocked, proved so popular that additional ticket allocations had to be released to meet demand. Visitors followed self-guided routes around the extensive grounds, with information points highlighting the site’s unique heritage and significance.

Many also stepped inside the former Recreation Hall to glimpse its remarkable interiors – a space rarely seen by the public before.

Heritage and Personal Stories

What made the day so special were the personal stories shared by former staff and families connected to The Retreat. Their memories added warmth and depth to the experience, reminding us of the human history woven into every part of this remarkable place.

Looking Ahead

We were delighted to host York Unlocked at The Retreat and are grateful to the volunteers who made the day possible. While this event was part of the city’s wider programme, we are planning our own series of heritage and engagement events, curated by our Events & Engagement Officer, Lucy South, to continue opening up the site to the community.

As development progresses, more areas of The Retreat will be revealed, offering new opportunities to explore and connect with its story.

The Future of The Retreat

The Retreat is now undergoing a transformation. The estate is being sensitively reshaped into a community of 120 characterful heritage homes, steeped in history and retaining many original features. Alongside these, a number of sustainably designed new homes will be created to sit perfectly within their historic surroundings – ensuring this unique site continues to play a role in York’s story for generations to come.

Sign up to hear about future heritage and community events, so you don’t miss the chance to explore more of this remarkable site.

Register Your Interest
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