Opulence reborn in five-star luxury

The towering railway headquarters in Station Rise in the centre of York was built overlooking the city's medieval walls during a boom in train travel that faded over passing decades.

Concerns had been mounting that the grandeur of the former base of the North Eastern Railway Company would also begin to ebb away when it was vacated two years ago – until ambitious plans were unveiled to transform the Grade II listed building into York's first five-star hotel.

The 20m project to create the Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa remained on schedule despite the recession and the premises are due to open in a few weeks' time, amid hopes that the long-term future of the sprawling building is now secure.

The hotel's general manager, Andrew Coney, revealed his ambitions to create a reputation for The Grand to rival some of the nation's other world famous places to stay, including The Ritz and The Savoy.

While a fifth-floor penthouse suite overlooking York Minster will cost up to 600 a night, Mr Coney was adamant that the hotel would cater for as wide an clientele as possible.

Rooms will start at 150 a night, the 60-seater restaurant will be open to diners who are not guests and a basement spa complex and swimming pool will be open to the public – with appointments.

Mr Coney said: "We want to make sure that anyone who wants to come to The Grand has the opportunity to – even if it is simply for a cup of tea in the bar.

"York is such a popular destination yet it doesn't have a five star hotel, which is something that baffles me. This is a massive piece of the jigsaw which has been missing for the city, and we want York's residents and visitors alike to be able to sample The Grand.

"I really do hope people will talk about having dinner at The Grand as much as they talk about tea at The Ritz."

However, the history of the building – which dates back to 1906 – does touch on the macabre. Guests may well have to share their stay with the ghost of a former railway porter, who is said to haunt the premises after taking his own life there.

Mr Coney said: "I was in the building on my own over Christmas, and I have to say it was quite spooky. But I'm sure that once the hotel is complete it will be one of the most welcoming and luxurious places to stay in the country."

A team of 126 builders is working on the multi-million pound project to create the 107-bedroom hotel, which is due to open on Monday April 26.

The Wakefield-based firm behind the scheme, Acropolis Hotels Limited, is marketing The Grand as a prized asset of York's multi-million pound tourism industry, which is vital to the city's economy and supports more than 10,000 workers.

The hotel will be the company's flagship operation. The firm currently offers four-star facilities at its other sites in Harrogate, Huddersfield, Bradford and Wakefield.

About 160 jobs should be available and managers are already being inundated with as many as 20 CVs a day, even before the main recruitment campaign has begun.

Mr Coney stressed that they will emphasise local employment and the hotel's head chef intends to source most of the menu from the region's famous produce.

The scheme received widespread backing from organisations including English Heritage, the York Civic Trust and the city's tourism partnership, Visit York.

Visit York's chief executive, Gillian Cruddas, said: "A five-star hotel will ensure that York's reputation continues to flourish.

"A hotel of this quality will enable us to attract high-spending UK and overseas visitors and add to the great variety of accommodation we already have in the city – from small bed-and-breakfasts to historic hotels.

"It's a huge sign of confidence in York and Yorkshire's tourism economy."

A month-long introductory offer offers double or twin rooms at www.cedarcourthotels.co.uk for 99 – although the spa will not be open at first.

SEVEN STORYS OF SERIOUS SPLENDOUR

Station Rise has been one of York's most iconic buildings for more than a century.

Built in 1906 as the headquarters for the North Eastern Railway Company, the seven-storeys were decked out with lavish fixtures and fittings to mirror the wealth of the nation's train network.

When it was completed, the firm's headquarters were described by the Yorkshire Herald as "a huge palace of business".

The foundations were laid early in 1902, and work on the main building began in May that year. It was finished, using five million bricks, four years later.