GMI Construction Group has commenced main construction works on a new 140-room Dakota hotel in the heart of York, following its appointment as principal contractor by Evans Property Group.
The development represents another significant investment in York’s hospitality sector, bringing the distinctive Dakota hotel brand to a prominent city centre location within the historic medieval city walls.
Situated on a 0.7-acre site close to York railway station and Lendal Bridge, the new hotel will provide high-quality accommodation while contributing to the continued development of the city’s leisure and tourism infrastructure.
The project marks the sixth Dakota hotel to be delivered by GMI Construction Group, building on a successful relationship that has already seen the contractor complete developments in Manchester city centre, Manchester Airport, Leeds, Glasgow and Newcastle Quayside.
Contemporary Hotel Design Meets York’s Historic Architecture
Designed by KPP Architects, the new Dakota York will combine the hotel group’s established industrial-inspired design approach with architectural features that complement the surrounding historic streetscape.
The building will incorporate red-brick façades, bronze-effect detailing and a central courtyard, creating a contemporary hospitality destination that responds to York’s distinctive architectural character.
The hotel will feature entrances from both Rougier Street and Tanners Moat, improving accessibility and connections with the surrounding city centre.
A series of terraces will also provide panoramic views across York, offering guests an elevated perspective of the city’s historic skyline.
The development’s location within York’s medieval walls presents particular design and construction considerations, requiring the project team to carefully manage the relationship between the new building and its established urban surroundings.
Sustainability at the Heart of the Development
The new hotel is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, reflecting the project’s commitment to improved environmental performance and sustainable building design.
Air source heat pumps will be incorporated into the building’s heating infrastructure to support lower-carbon operations, while electric vehicle charging points and facilities encouraging sustainable travel will also form part of the development.
These measures demonstrate the increasing importance of energy efficiency and environmental performance within the UK’s hospitality property sector, as hotel operators and developers seek to reduce the operational impact of new buildings.
For the construction and building services sectors, the project will involve the integration of modern mechanical and electrical systems within a constrained city centre development.
Main Construction Works Underway
With demolition now complete, GMI Construction Group has moved into the main construction phase, marking an important milestone in the delivery of the hotel.
The site’s central location, neighbouring buildings and historic setting will require careful construction planning, site logistics and coordination throughout the development programme.
GMI will draw upon its previous experience delivering Dakota hotels, applying established knowledge of the brand’s design requirements, construction standards and hospitality specifications.
The wider professional team includes KPP Architects, structural engineering consultancy JPG Group, planning consultant O’Neill Associates, heritage specialist Montagu Evans, employer’s agent Rex Proctor & Partners and commercial property adviser CBRE.
Sixth Dakota Development Strengthens Contractor Relationship
Ed Weston, Regional Director for Yorkshire at GMI Construction Group, welcomed the opportunity to deliver another major hotel development for Evans Property Group.
“We are delighted to be continuing our long-standing relationship with Evans Property Group and the Dakota brand on a sixth hotel development,” he said.
“This is a highly prominent and constrained city-centre site, surrounded by neighbouring buildings and shaped by York’s historic character. With the demolition phase now complete, our focus is on progressing the new hotel.”
Weston added that the contractor would use its experience across the previous five Dakota developments to deliver a distinctive new destination for York.
The scheme represents a further addition to the city’s hospitality development pipeline, supporting investment in high-quality visitor accommodation within one of the UK’s most established tourism destinations.
For York, the new Dakota hotel will introduce a contemporary hospitality offering while demonstrating how modern hotel development can be integrated into a historically sensitive urban environment.
With construction now progressing, the 140-room development is set to become another notable addition to York’s hotel and leisure property landscape.
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