[1] The foundation stone for the building was laid by the Prince of Wales on 18 July 1883 in a ceremony of masonic ritual.

[3] It was described as having a Romanseque arch as the entrance, supported by columns with carved capitals; surrounding the walls is a parapet crowned with ornamental terminals; and in the centre of the building a tower rises to a height of 85 feet (26 m).

The basement contained a gymnasium and two small class rooms.

Later in life the building was taken over and used by York Technical College.

In November 2023 the building houses Kuda nightclub and York Dungeon.