VIP preview event October 2025
Register for your personal invitation prior to the National Launch
Phase I Unveiled — October 2025
This October, a limited number of guests will be given exclusive access behind the doors of The Retreat. At this private preview event, we will unveil details of Phase I — a handful of individually designed, York-inspired 3 & 5 bedroom homes.
These newly built residences combine timeless architecture with modern, sustainable living: private gardens, dedicated parking, and eco-friendly features including A-rated EPCs, EV charging, triple glazing and solar panels. Some homes will also feature private terraces with views of the iconic grounds and the city centre beyond.
With only a small collection available in this inaugural release — and interest already unprecedented — this is a rare opportunity to secure a home in one of York’s most significant historic settings prior to the national launch in Spring 2026.
Spaces for the October preview are limited. Register today to secure your place on the VIP list and be among the first to view detailed floor plans, design visuals, and pricing before the wider public.
The Retreat
Entering a bold new chapter
Positioned in the heart of the city of York, The Retreat is a Grade II* listed 18th-century estate originally founded by visionary Quaker philanthropist William Tuke. Purpose-built for healing and designed to harmonise architecture, nature and wellbeing, The Retreat is known the world over for pioneering psychiatric care that has shaped modern mental health care and is a shining example of the contribution the Quakers have made to society.
Previously closed off to the public, 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 with many of their original features retained and a number of sustainable, newly built homes, which will sit perfectly within their historic surroundings.
Residents of The Retreat will have access to 37 acres of extensive landscaped grounds like no other, including a Peace and Tranquillity Garden and orchard.
PJ Livesey is the new custodian of the site, bringing its 45-year track record of refurbishing iconic historic properties to the project. Tasked with securing its legacy, honouring its historic significance and sharing this hidden gem with the public, the developer is all set to create a bold new chapter for The Retreat.
Want to know more about this exceptional new development? Register your interest to be kept updated with upcoming events and information.
The Retreat
Entering a bold new chapter
Positioned in the heart of the city of York, The Retreat is a Grade II* listed 18th-century estate originally founded by visionary Quaker philanthropist William Tuke. Purpose-built for healing and designed to harmonise architecture, nature and wellbeing, The Retreat is known the world over for pioneering psychiatric care that has shaped modern mental health care and is a shining example of the contribution the Quakers have made to society.
Previously closed off to the public, 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 with many of their original features retained and a number of sustainable, newly built homes, which will sit perfectly within their historic surroundings.
Residents of The Retreat will have access to 37 acres of extensive landscaped grounds like no other, including a Peace and Tranquillity Garden and orchard.
PJ Livesey is the new custodian of the site, bringing its 45-year track record of refurbishing iconic historic properties to the project. Tasked with securing its legacy, honouring its historic significance and sharing this hidden gem with the public, the developer is all set to create a bold new chapter for The Retreat.
Want to know more about this exceptional new development? Register your interest to be kept updated with upcoming events and information.
History
A keystone in the health care timeline
Welcome to the site of one of the most influential mental health institutions in the world.
Established in 1796 by William Tuke, a local Quaker, The Retreat was born from a simple but radical idea: that people with mental illness deserved compassion, dignity, and humane care.
This was not a hospital in the traditional sense. It was a quiet revolution. The Retreat offered something different: moral treatment, which included nourishing food, access to nature, respectful relationships, and meaningful daily activity.
These values helped change how the world viewed mental illness and inspired mental health reform across Britain and beyond.
Today, after over two centuries of care, The Retreat has entered a new phase. These buildings and grounds are being respectfully transformed into homes. The site is no longer a place of medical treatment, but it remains a place of healing legacy – one whose story continues to shape lives.
1790
One mans vision
The Retreat’s history began on 15th March 1790 when a 42 year old Quaker widow, called Hannah Mills, was admitted to York Lunatic Asylum and died by 29th April 1790. Her death was unexplained, but Friends discovered that during her stay it is very likely she was treated inhumanely and cruelly. William Tuke and his family vowed that never again should any Quaker be forced to endure such treatment.
1796
The early Retreat
The Retreat, which opened its doors in 1796, was never meant to be a hospital in the conventional sense. William Tuke tried to establish a ‘home from home’ for Friends, where the local doctor visited but did not hold the ultimate authority for treatment. The Retreat was a community, rather like an extended family where patients and staff lived together.
1833 – 1838
Developing its reputation
The Retreat’s revolutionary humane approach to mental health care was attracting visitors from around the world, with the publication of ‘Description of The Retreat’ by William’s grandson Samuel Tuke. This book was enormously influential on mental health practice and is referred to in modern-day textbooks on the history of psychiatry. The Retreat itself was growing and in the 1820s opened its doors to the first non-Quaker patients.
1860 – 1870s
The rise of psychiatry
Daniel Hack Tuke, became the first of his family to enter university and became a medical doctor at The Retreat. The old ideas of ‘moral treatment’ began to give way to a more medically orientated model. Although The Retreat became steadily more conventional in its treatment methods, it never lost its reputation for humane and caring treatment of patients, who were now a mixture of Quakers and non-Quakers.
1952
Moment to remember
On Friday 29th February 1952 the Gloster Meteor, Britain’s first jet fighter aircraft, crashed into the Recreation Hall whilst the tail of the aircraft broke off and landed in the Quaker burial ground which sits within the estate. By chance no-one beside the pilot (John Paterson) was killed impacting just metres away from the male ward.
Register your interest for sales information
and receive access to exclusive preview details and event invitations
Register you details to be kept informed about exclusive sales preview events and information for upcoming releases.
Register your interest for historical information
for more information on the history of The Retreat, York
Register you details to be informed about the history of this unique development and forthcoming historical & community events.
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