Address: 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
Description
On the side of The Crescent building off Blossom Street, an almost completely faded paint-on-brick ghost sign spans the entire width.
At the bottom, a black block contrasts with unintelligible white text painted above it.
History
The Crescent Community Venue, a former Working Men’s Club in York, continues a rich tradition of community spirit and musical entertainment.
Initially established on Micklegate, it was relocated to its current address at 8 The Crescent after the original building was demolished in the late 1920s.
This building, before becoming a Working Men’s Club, was a female boarding school from around 1895 to 1907, and hosted 13 resident pupils from Yorkshire.
1920s – The original Crescent on Micklegate, which has been knocked down Source: Explore York Archives Asset ID: 1007557
The ghost sign ‘The Crescent WMC’ on the new building uses Trompe-L’oeil imagery, a painting technique that creates a three-dimensional appearance on a flat surface, enhancing its historic facade.
An example of the Trompe-L’oeil effect
This sign, visible from the city walls, marks the venue’s long-standing connection to York’s cultural life.
Today, the venue has transformed into a dynamic bar, concert, and events space.
It features a front bar open daily to the public, equipped with a projector, wall-mounted screen, DJ booth, and a 2kW sound system.
The current Crescent signage
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