13 Stonegate

13 Stonegate is a historic building in the city centre of York, in England.

The building, in 2023

The oldest part of the building faces onto Stonegate. It was built in the 15th century as a three-storey, three-bay building. It may have been constructed by Thomas Doncaster, who leased the site from the Archdeacon of Richmond in 1423, but was not asked to pay rent, suggesting that he was improving the site. Both the upper floors were jettied, to Stonegate and to Little Stonegate, but the top floor was cut back, probably in the 18th century, in line with the first floor. The wing facing Little Stonegate was constructed as a separate house in about 1500, originally two storeys high, but with a third, jettied, storey added in the 17th century. In about 1600, the building facing Stonegate was extended to the rear, filling the angle between the two buildings.

The figurehead, in 2013

The internal arrangement was altered over the years, and by the 19th century, it formed three tenements, each with its own staircase. The current shopfronts on the ground floor date from about 1800. By 1954, the building had been united, when it was Grade II* listed. Since 1990, the building has housed the Original Teddy Bear Shop.

The entire building is timber-framed, and externally plastered. There is a corner post, with a figurehead of a mermaid, dating to the 17th century. The roofs are covered with tiles and pantiles, and there are brick chimneystacks. Inside, there are several Georgian fittings, including a mid-18th century staircase, a Doric portico, and a marble fireplace. The Little Stonegate range has a steep staircase of similar date.