The York Club Landscape

ERA’s Landscape Architecture department was engaged to prepare designs to enhance the York Club’s storied dining courtyard garden and adjacent outdoor spaces.

The proposed landscape improvements coincided with the new kitchen expansion and interior accessibility upgrades (also led by ERA). Set amidst a mature tree canopy in the south lawn of the club, and enclosed by heritage brick walls, this magical space has been enjoyed for decades by club members. Its popularity, and the expansion of the kitchen facility, meant that the opportunity for a newly conceived landscape to seamlessly complement the historic club house had come.

ERA Landscape designed a new accessible entry to the courtyard from the updated eastern parking area. A theme of “garden architecture” provides a refreshed character to the outdoor spaces. The new processional pergola leads members to the expanded dining terrace. A new convenience garden pavilion (with washrooms and servery) with its own associated manicured parterre defines the north edge of the pergola, while new planting to the south complements the existing lush gardens, providing the idyllic background for outdoor dining on the extended clay brick terrace. Original pavers were repurposed and new metalwork and an enclosing garden fence further enclose the space.

The refreshed gardenesque dining courtyard is expected to re-open for dining in 2025.