Week 1 Update Fit-out
The Transformation Begins: Culturebox Interiors at 29 Swinegate, York
There is something incredibly exciting about the moment a refurbishment project finally gets underway. The drawings become reality, the site team arrive, and the first phase of transformation begins.
For us at Culturebox Interiors, that moment has arrived at 29 Swinegate, York — and we couldn’t be more excited to get started.
The building has a fantastic history and has seen many different lives over the years. 29 Swinegate has previously been home to the Central Mission Hall, a church and, more recently, the Biltmore Bar & Grill. The building itself dates back to the early 20th century and sits within York’s Central Historic Core Conservation Area.
So, as you can imagine, there is plenty of character to work with.
And before we can build something new, we have to make a bit of a mess first!
Making way for what’s next
Refurbishment isn’t always pretty at the beginning. In fact, some of the most exciting projects start with dust, demolition and a space that looks considerably worse before it gets better.
Our Culturebox site teams have been busy getting the space cleared and preparing the building for its next chapter. We’ve stripped back the existing spaces, removed elements that no longer serve the building’s new purpose and started creating the blank canvas we’ll need for the work ahead.
It’s always slightly bittersweet taking apart an existing interior — particularly when the old space has been as characterful as this one.
But that’s part of the process.
You can’t create something amazing without first making space for it.
The existing bar area is being retained as an important part of the scheme, ready to be reimagined as part of the exciting new venue. Rather than simply erasing what was there before, the aim is to take the building’s character and give it a completely new purpose.
And then there is the kitchen…
From old kitchen to new adventure
One of the biggest transformations taking place is happening where the old kitchen once stood.
The space has now been completely gutted, clearing the way for something very different: an exciting new escape room experience.
It’s a great example of what makes refurbishment so rewarding. A space that was once designed around kitchens, preparation and service is now becoming the starting point for an immersive experience designed to entertain, challenge and surprise future visitors.
The change is already dramatic — and we’re only at the beginning.
A site full of potential
Walking around the site at this stage, you can see the potential starting to emerge.
The demolition and clearance work might look like destruction, but for the Culturebox team, it’s really the first step in the build. Walls being removed, old fixture cleared and every area prepared is bringing us closer to seeing the finished space take shape.
Our site teams are managing the works carefully, coordinating the clearance and preparation required before the next phase of construction can begin.
And there is plenty still to come.
The new venue is set to bring together immersive escape rooms, interactive games, food and drink and a reimagined bar within this historic York building. The wider project represents a significant transformation of the former Biltmore site, with the new venue planned to open later this year.
For Culturebox Interiors, it’s a brilliant opportunity to take a building with so much history and help create something completely new within it.
The exciting part starts now
There is a particular satisfaction in looking at a stripped-back space and knowing what it’s going to become.
Right now, visitors can’t see the finished escape rooms. They can’t see the new interiors, the completed bar or the details that will eventually bring the whole experience together.
We can.
We’ve got the plans, we’ve got the teams on site and, most importantly, we’ve got an incredibly exciting project ahead of us.
So while the first images might show a building being stripped back and looking a little worse for wear, for us they represent something much more positive:
The beginning.
The old is being cleared, the space is being prepared, and we’re getting ready to build something amazing for our client.
We’ll be sharing more from 29 Swinegate as the project progresses, so keep an eye on Culturebox Interiors for the next stage of the transformation.
For now, though, let the mess begin…