WE HAVE a winner.

Earlier this month, we asked readers of The Press to vote for their favourite new or refurbished building in York.

The Press People’s Award is a new category of the annual York Design Awards – a category voted for entirely by you.

We provided a long list of 17 buildings or projects to choose from – some new, some refurbishments. The list included a couple of new primary schools, several buildings on the University of York’s new Heslington East campus, a number of conservation projects – and even a public open space, Library Square.

All had been entries in the York Design Awards, voted on by a panel of professional judges earlier in the year. But this was your chance to say which you thought was the best.

Hundreds of people voted. And the winner – by the narrowest of margins, it must be said – was the project to refurbish the Grade II* listed De Grey Rooms to provide youth theatre workshops and other space for the Theatre Royal.

Running a close second was the new Porters Lodge at Bootham School. The other projects making up the top five were the Computer Sciences building at the University of York, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs RC Primary School in Hamilton Drive, and the restoration of the stucco ceiling at the University of York’s Heslington Hall.

Janet Hopton, chair of the steering group for the York Design Awards, said: “I am thrilled both at the response we have had and also that the five favourite buildings include conservation and new build – a recognition that both are important for York, and that adventurous new build, small and large, is possible in the right context, our 21st Century contribution to York`s heritage.”

“The best news of all is that, from next year, The Press People’s Award will be a regular feature of the York Design Awards each year.

“York Design Awards thank The Press for initiating this new Award and look forward to working on this together and with residents in future years.”