A five-star hotel in York is set to get a new “sister” site after a long-standing office building is earmarked for a return to its original use. Number 37 Tanner Row, which was listed for sale at £2.775 million in 2023, has been acquired by Splendid Hospitality Group, the firm behind The Grand, York and ibis York Centre.
The imposing Grade II-listed building, along with its associated coach house, is set to be transformed into a 38-bedroom hotel. Plans include 12 bedrooms within the main building and 26 one- to three-bedroom suites, with guests also able to access services at The Grand on Station Rise.
Originally built between 1852 and 1855 as The George Hotel, the building was later converted into offices for the North Eastern Railway and, more recently, used by Historic England.
Speaking on behalf of the firm, O’Neill Associates said: “The Splendid Hospitality Group already holds a varied portfolio of hotels in the city, including the Ibis Styles on The Mount, Hotel Indigo on Walmgate, the Holiday Inn at Hopgrove and The Grand Hotel & Spa on Toft Green as its flagship York property.
“The proposal is to return the building to its original function as a high-status hotel. This will involve removing low-grade fittings, finishes and services that have accumulated during its time as office space, allowing for a sensitive conversion to a five-star standard.”
YorkMix reports that a design statement adds: “Positioned opposite The Grand Hotel, this building is envisioned as a future ‘sister’ hotel. With many facilities available off-site, the number of rooms at 37 Tanner Row can be maximised, while minimising potentially harmful alterations associated with additional amenities.”
Planning documents state the project aims to preserve the building’s historic fabric while updating it for modern use, removing outdated features and supporting the city’s tourism economy.
A statement adds: “The proposed renovation represents a thoughtful and respectful approach to preserving the building’s historical significance while bringing it into the modern era. By maintaining its architectural integrity and making sympathetic changes, the development demonstrates how heritage buildings can be revitalised without losing their original character.”
If you’d like to, you can view and comment on the planning application online here.
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Feature Image Credit: Axiom Architects
