A York hotel has revealed major expansion plans, including a takeover of a historic city centre building and the creation of an outdoor dining area.
The Judge’s Lodging on Lendal wants to convert neighbouring office building Lendal House into 12 more bedrooms.
Meanwhile, the ground floor, most recently home to the Jack Wolfskin store, would again be used as a shop.
The owner of Judge’s Lodging, brewer Daniel Thwaites plc, bought Grade II listed Lendal House in 2021 for £900,000.
They also want to convert a smaller derelict Grade II listed property, called Joseph Terry House, tucked away behind the main building on Lendal. Three hotel bedrooms would be created here, alongside staff facilities.
In the main hotel itself, an external dining courtyard would be built at the rear.
Finally, the kitchens would be extended to create a food preparation area. This would mean the loss of two bedrooms, meaning a net total of 13 new guest rooms would be created.
Planning documents state: “There is little need for the type of accommodation currently offered by Lendal House in the centre of York, and Joseph Terry House has been unused for several years.
“Alterations are inevitable to ensure the future of these heritage assets.”
History of the buildings
The Judge’s Lodging building was originally built as a house for Dr Clifton Wintringham, a well-published York physician, in around 1718.
In 1806, the judges moved from the judges’ court house in Coney Street into The Judges’ Lodgings.
The building was converted into a hotel in the 1970s.
Joseph Terry House was built in the early 1800s. By 1818, Mr Bayldon and Mr Berry, confectioners, were conducting their business here. In 1830 the company became Joseph Terry & Co, later known as Terry’s of York.
Lendal House also dates from the early 1800s. It is largely intact with “an abundance of features from its original phase of construction”.
The courtyard dining area would be created in the same area of the existing hotel where temporary dining huts were created during Covid restrictions.
“These have been very popular with guests used as a covered external area,” planning documents say.
“The hotel would like to create an additional facility which allows guests to enjoy the rear terrace throughout the year.
“The permanent timber structure will be flexible internally where the space can be subdivided into five smaller rooms or become one large space to accommodate events such as weddings.”
A heritage assessment of the plans concludes: “There is little need for the type of accommodation currently offered by Lendal House in the centre of York, and Joseph Terry House has been unused for several years.
“Alterations are inevitable to ensure the future of these heritage assets.”
You can read and comment on the application here.
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