Building work begins on £25m city centre hotel
Construction has begun on the £25m Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly hotel, in the heart of York city centre.
Avantis Hotels, which already owns and operates the Hampton by Hilton York in nearby Toft Green, is developing the Piccadilly-site, which most recently housed offices, a car park and a motorcycle accessory shop.
Piccadilly is in the Castle Gateway district of the city and, together with neighbouring streets, has been identified by the City Council as an area for major regeneration and redevelopment.
Due for completion in the first quarter of 2021, the hotel will generate more than 50 full and part-time jobs. In addition to its 143 guest bedrooms, the site will also include eight luxury private residences all enjoying uninterrupted views of Clifford’s Tower, going on sale in late 2020.
The scheme is designed to the latest BREEAM standards and will boast cycle parking bays and a number of electric-vehicle charging points.
Ravi Majithia, Avantis Hotels’ development director, said: “The Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly is an incredibly exciting prospect and is a significant investment for us.
“We are confident it will help breathe new life into a part of York that lacks activity yet has envious views overlooking the River Foss, facing one of York’s most popular attractions.
“This has already begun Newby’s transformation of Ryedale House, an otherwise utilitarian building being converted into a fantastic residential scheme that paves the way and standards for other developers along Piccadilly.
“Our design team, many of whom are local professionals, have worked closely with the city planners to ensure the hotel’s design is not only sympathetic to its surroundings, but one that brings real benefits to the environment.
“Incorporating Historic England’s request to preserve key views from Clifford’s Tower to St Deny’s Church was challenging but shows our team’s commitment to maintaining York’s historic fabric.”
Anthony Mackle, sales and marketing director at Newby, said: “It’s fantastic that this area of Piccadilly is being regenerated with such high-quality schemes.
“It occupies such an enviable position in the heart of York and yet it seemed to have been forgotten for many years. Now to have both Ryedale House and its 77 luxury apartments, along with the Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly hotel, it can come alive once again.”
Majithia added: “The Hilton brand is recognised and respected worldwide and our new Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly will complement our existing Hampton by Hilton York at Toft Green.
“The hotel’s communal areas provide functionality and comfort to promote guest interaction. Guestrooms have been designed with warm colour palettes to appeal to today’s traveller and accommodate how guests live, work and relax.
“We are excited to bring Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly to the city. We selected a great creative design team and a highly capable contractor with a proven track record of delivering major hotel developments across the north of England, including Leeds and Manchester.
“Avantis has a long-term interest in the growing success of York’s local economy and this investment demonstrates our confidence in its strength. It is a wonderful city and we are privileged to play our part in York City Council’s plans to reinvigorate and revitalise Piccadilly.”
