York planners are considering a scheme to convert an empty office block into an extension of the city’s only five-star hotel.
The £15m two-year project would add another 107 bedrooms to the Grade II listed Grand Hotel & Spa — formerly the Cedar Court Grand — in York’s Station Rise. Acquired last year by the Splendid Hospitality Group (SHG) from the Cedar Court Group, the new owners say the scheme would also create at least 45 jobs.
Earlier this year SHG paid an undisclosed sum for the Roman House office block, in adjoining Rougier Street, which has remained empty since the Aviva insurance group moved out five years ago. The planned conversion would add a new wing to the Grand and double the number of five-star rooms in York, from 107 to 214. It would also include a 160-seat restaurant and outdoor terrace.
“This is an exciting period for The Grand and for York,” explained SHG’s chief executive, Stuart Bailey. “The hotel is already acknowledged as being one of the finest in the region but, following this major investment, it will be amongst the finest in the country, attracting more visitors from further afield.”
He said his company would work with the City of York Council, English Heritage and other partner organisations to ensure “that disruption is kept to a minimum and the changes we are making enhance this already stunning building”.
If planning permission is granted SPG says the project would start by the end of the year. The group owns two other sites in the historic city: the Express by Holiday Inn in Malton Road and plans to open a 101-bedroom Indigo hotel in Walmgate this summer.
The Grand’s luxury upgrade scheme is in line with last October’s independent hotel strategy report — commissioned by the City of York Council as part of its vision to double tourism generated income to £1bn by 2023 — which called for more “high quality” accommodation in York, rather than simply increasing visitor numbers.
Kate McMullen is head of Visit York. “This scheme is very good news for our tourism sector,” she said. “It would double the rooms we’re able to offer in York for customers seeking a five-star hotel experience.
“I’m confident this will prove extremely popular with visitors and, in turn, will result in increased revenue for our visitor attractions, shops and restaurants.”
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