Aparthotel Micklegate opens in York
Owned and operated by Supercity, the 46-suite venue has been designed by brown + company to replicate the medieval jettied timber-framed buildings that once occupied the south east side of Micklegate.
Originally due to open in 2023, the launch was delayed following the discovery of part of York’s original medieval wall on the site, which then had to be excavated with archaeologists finding items dating back to the Roman period.
The hotel is primarily aimed at people staying in York for business, with the self-contained apartments aimed at longer stay customers.
SuperCity also has similar schemes in London, Manchester, Leeds, Brighton, and Edinburgh, and decided to open in Micklegate after being attracted to York’s high visitor footfall.
York-based brown + co worked alongside Montagu Evans, O’Neill Associates, York City Council, and Leach Rhodes Walker on the project, which had to navigate stringent planning and heritage requirements to create a contemporary building that complements the historically significant street – the name Micklegate, meaning “Great Street,” is derived from the Old Norse Myglagata, while Micklegate Bar later became an important element of the city’s medieval defences.
As part of this, the scheme also considered rooftop views from York’s historic city walls, as well as key viewpoints along Micklegate itself.
The location, a stone’s throw from Micklegate Bar, was previously home to Minster Van Hire and the Jinnah restaurant, both of which – unlike most of Micklegate – were unlisted.
Roger Walters, founder and chairman of SuperCity, said the chain had initially viewed a site at the former gasworks site in Heworth Green but opted for Micklegate as the firm wanted a location within York’s city walls.
Speaking about the project, he said: “Our design team have worked very closely with the team at brown + company. The original exterior was agreed with the City of York Council after careful deliberation to make the building form blend in with the character of York.”
He also noted that 12.5 full-time and four part-time jobs will be created by the new hotel.
brown + company have worked on other major York developments such as Coney Street Riverside and the remodeling of the campus at St Peter’s School.
