Camde New Journal - News: Old duke marches

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Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 5 July 2007

Gary Love beside a Georgian frieze in one of the rooms

Grand old duke marches on

THE historic York and Albany pub in Regent’s Park will reopen under its original name following a long battle by conservationists to persuade its owners to respect its long and illustrious history.
The John Nash building in Parkway, Camden Town, had been in danger of falling down until its future was secured by television actor Gary Love, who planned to reopen it as a trendy boutique hotel called The Magnolia.
But now with work nearly completed, Mr Love has been persuaded by members of the Camden Town Conservation Area Advisory committee to revert to the original name.
The multi-million pound refit started 18 months ago and the first task after making the building safe was to remove the carcasses of around 4,000 dead pigeons.
Mr Love said: “The state of the building was truly astonishing. The Crown had basically let it fall down and it was full of birds.
“There were plants growing through the walls and floorboards and the basement area needed serious work to stop the building collapsing.”
But a careful restoration project saved many original features and Mr Love has also recycled 700 square metres of oak flooring throughout.
Guest can choose from bedrooms styled by leading designers. One room has friezes of Georgian Regent’s Park and hand-painted flower motifs found on canal boats; another includes bronze burnished floor to ceiling mirrors.
The pub was opened in 1827 and named after King George IV’s brother, the Duke of York and Albany – after whom the nursery song about the Grand Old Duke of York who had 10,000 men was penned.
Committee member Marion Kamlish said keeping the name safeguarded an important part of the area’s history.
She said: “It is built on a bit of land that John Nash, after he had completed the park, took a lease on. The first thing he did with it was build a tavern. It is a vital part of his vision.”
Nash opened a tea garden behind the pub – now land edging the railway line into Euston – and it was a popular spot for visitors to the area.
But years of neglect meant the building was closed and in danger of collapse. When builders moved in, they had to do emergency work to stop the pub falling in.
And once it had been made safe, the battle to ensure its interior was sympathetically restored began.
The Crown, owners of the lease, broke with normal policy for Nash buildings in Regent’s Park and sold the freehold.
Mrs Kamlish added: “They looked at the building and realised it was in a terrible state. They then took the decisions to put it on the market.
“We are so pleased to see how the work has progressed, and to have it opened under its proper name is wonderful.”

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