Fairfax House

Fairfax House stands out for the excessive, riotous plasterwork covering its ceilings and walls. Lord Fairfax, a wealthy viscount, bought this townhouse in the middle of the eighteenth century specifically to display his art collection and entertain York’s high society. He hired the architect John Carr to renovate the interiors into a gilded stage for parties. Later, the building served as a cinema and a dance hall, losing its original character until a meticulous restoration revealed the intricate stucco roses and musical instruments.