York Racecourse, one of the most prestigious venues in British flat racing, has always been defined as much by its architecture as by its sporting heritage. The Knavesmire site has hosted races for over 300 years, and clay brick has played a central role in that story; from the John Carr Stand of 1754 through Walter Brierley’s unifying early-20th-century vision, right up to the most recent transformation of the southern end of the course.
That transformation, the Bustardthorpe Development, completed in 2024, demonstrates how handmade brick continues to bring permanence, identity, and quality to a site cherished by visitors across generations.
Building on a Tradition of Brick
The John Carr Stand, built in the mid-18th century, is thought to be the oldest grandstand still in use at any sporting venue globally. Its arcaded verandah introduced clay brick as a defining material at York. Brierley’s masterplan in the early 1900s reinforced this tradition, using clay brick to unify the course’s evolving architecture. Even modest additions, such as the 1932 turnstiles and service buildings, contributed to the continuity of character.
In more recent years, architects have been careful to respect that material language. Brendan Phelan Architects’ redevelopment of the northern end in 2015 incorporated brickwork influenced by historic detailing and bonding techniques, reinforcing continuity across the site.
The Bustardthorpe Development
The 2023-24 redevelopment at the southern end was the most significant project on the site in decades. The Bustardthorpe Stand was extended and a new pavilion and canopy were introduced, all set within a redesigned landscape that improves circulation and enhances the racegoer experience.
Sustainability was at the heart of the scheme. Delivered under the Green Knavesmire 300 strategy, it prioritised local sourcing, reuse of materials, and environmentally responsible supply chains. This ethos extended to the choice of brick, where York Handmade Brick supplied 70,000 units of a bespoke Bustardthorpe Blend.
A Bespoke Brick
The handmade bricks, drawn from the manufacturer’s Ebor range, were carefully developed to sit in dialogue with the course’s historic fabric. Their tones and textures recall both the bricks used in the 2015 redevelopment and those in the Lord Brierley perimeter wall, creating continuity across centuries of building.
What sets handmade brick apart here is not only its appearance but its performance. The subtle variations in tone catch the light differently throughout the day, animating the façades and giving depth to elevations. At the same time, the inherent durability of clay brick ensures that these new structures will weather the years with minimal maintenance, much like their 18th- and 19th-century predecessors still standing today.
By selecting a bespoke blend, the project team could achieve precision in colour and finish, making the new development feel authentically “of York” while still marking a confident step forward.
Reuse and Renewal
The project also engaged directly with its own history. The 1932 buildings by Yates, Cook & Darbyshire could not all be retained, but rather than discarding them, their brickwork was dismantled with care and repurposed in new boundary walls. This circular approach not only minimised waste but also kept a physical link between past and present, demonstrating how clay brick can be reimagined across generations without losing its integrity.
Reception and Legacy
Since reopening in 2024, the Bustardthorpe Development has been warmly received by racegoers, many of whom describe it as “quintessentially York.” The phrase captures what brick achieves here: a sense of place that is both timeless and specific. The development does not mimic the past, but through its use of handmade brick, it draws strength from a material that has shaped the course since the 18th century.
For York Racecourse, the project is more than an upgrade to facilities. It is a continuation of a 270-year architectural narrative where clay brick has always been central. From John Carr’s verandah to Brierley’s cohesive masterplan and today’s bespoke Bustardthorpe Blend, brick has provided durability, character, and authenticity.
Brick Bulletin | Feature 268
