Lamington picks York for room2’s Northern debut
The investor and developer will fund the £30m asset off its balance sheet, starting work this summer on the 116-bedroom hotel with completion expected in early 2026.
The project will be managed by the in-house team of Lamington Group’s development arm.
Lamington will develop its hotel at the site of the former Swinson House on Piccadilly, demolition of the former tax office having now taken place.
Planning permission for a hotel on site was granted in 2020, with Marriott originally expected. York developer North Star then picked up the project, with local architect Vincent & Partners coming on board to develop the original Dexter Moren Associates design to fit with room2’s brand standards. Planner O’Neill Associates had secured the original consent for Dominvs.
Located inside the city’s castle walls, room2 York will offer 116 guest rooms, a meeting space, laundry room, gym, and a café/bar called Winnie’s.
Certified as a B-Corp, Lamington said the project continues the group’s commitment to take real action on climate change by building and operating net-zero carbon properties.
Lamington said in 2022 that it was looking to add hotels in York, Glasgow and Manchester to its estate, at that point targeting a 2024 opening for York. Plans for the Manchester site – a plot long in the works for a hotel of some kind – were lodged in December last year.
Robert Godwin, chief executive, said: “room2 York will be a fantastic development that we are delighted to be progressing despite challenging economic conditions. In line with our One Living Planet strategy, we are proud to continue the creation of long-term environmental and social value for our partners, guests and community.”
A 2026 opening is the goal. Credit: via Grifco
Lamington said that the room2 York hotel, at 23 Piccadilly, will be developed in accordance with the UK Green Building Council’s net zero carbon framework, verified in design by Savills Earth.
It will be fully electric, fitted with roof solar panels, showers with wastewater heat recovery and CO2 sensor-controlled ventilation. The aim is a WELL Platinum mark.
The group’s Chiswick hotel has been verified as net zero in operation.
Given its setting, room2 York’s design is based around a concept of ‘modernising medieval,’ the firm said. The design will feature reclaimed timber flooring, recycled textiles and restored joinery.
Lamington describes its room2 locations as ‘hometels,’ aiming to offer the best aspects of AirBnB and serviced apartments in a hotel setting.
The room2 brand currently has four operational locations, in Southampton, Hammersmith, Chiswick, and Belfast, which opened in October 2023.
