UK — Lamington Group, a B-Corp-certified real estate investor and developer,has unveiled the details of its next project and UK’s ‘first net-zero tower’ which will open as room2 York Manchester.

The developer first unveiled the plans in 2023. They will see 12-16 Piccadilly transformed into a 34-storey, 251-bedroom hotel and the sensitive conversion of an adjacent Grade-II listed building.

room2 York will be the brand’s first in the North of England and continues the B-Corp real estate investor’s leading commitment to take real action on climate change by building and operating net-zero carbon properties. 

The asset will be funded off the group’s balance sheet, and the development will be managed by the in-house team of Lamington Group’s development arm.

room2 York will be a fantastic development that we are delighted to be progressing despite challenging economic conditions,” said Robert Godwin, CEO at Lamington Group. 

“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.”

Located inside the city’s castle walls, room2 York, will offer 116 guest rooms, a meeting space, laundry room, gym, and new Winnie’s café and bar concept specialising in home cooked and locally grown food. 

room2 York’s design is based around a concept of ‘modernising medieval’ inspired by the city’s history and architectural heritage. The property’s design will feature reclaimed timber flooring, recycled textiles and restored joinery, evoking a warm and inviting space. 

Guestrooms will feature bold colours and artistic wallpapers, a signature of room2 hometels, where playful design is celebrated.

The property is designed to meet operational and embodied net zero standards in accordance with the UKGBC net zero carbon framework, verified in design by Savills Earth. 

The new hometel is designed to achieve ultra-low energy standards. It will be fully electric, fitted with roof solar panels, showers with wastewater heat recovery and CO2 sensor-controlled ventilation. 

room2 York has also been designed to meet WELL Platinum, championing the highest standard of health and wellbeing spaces for our guests and team members.

This development follows Lamington Group’s Net Zero pioneering roadmap, which commits it to building to whole life net zero standards, a world first in hotels, as well as the official verification of net zero in operation of room2 Chiswick by BSI in 2023.

room2 currently has four operational locations, in Southampton, Hammersmith and Chiswick, along with the most recent property, room2 Belfast, which opened in October 2023.

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