A YOUNG design agency has completed the rebranding of the York Mansion House.

The brief for United By Design in The Mount, York, was to modernise the logo for business use of the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York, Coun David Horton, and incorporate it in a new website, brochure and official stationery.

A fine balance had to be struck by creative director Owen Turner between marketing the architectural masterpiece as being a place for hire and maintaining the dignity of its history and heritage.

The result was that the business crest remained the same as the one used for civic occasions – only it was monochrome.

Owen, who said the contract was worth about £3,000, said: “Although it presents a considerable revenue-earning opportunity for the council, it was important to recognise the vital place this well-loved building holds in the history of York; and, of course, it is also someone’s home.”

The Mansion House, which is seeking to increase revenues on the strength of the new look, will have an official relaunch next month.

Richard Pollitt, from City of York Council, who manages the Mansion House, said: “We felt it was necessary to draw the distinction between the crest used in events involving the civic party and the one for business use. Since the rebranding a number of media production companies have inquired about filming at the Mansion House, and Kudos Productions has been filming its new ITV commission, Eternal Law, in the building.”

A number of high-profile organisations have also subsequently used the Mansion House facilities, including Oxfam, the NHS and global consultancy firm Arup.