The 132-bedroom hotel, near the landmark Clifford's Tower, will feature a restaurant facing out onto the busy Piccadilly thoroughfare, becoming part of the Castle Regeneration Area.

"Given the incredible sensitivity of the site, we worked in close collaboration with officers from York City Council to create a simple yet detailed design whose massing and materials do not overpower its surroundings - particularly St Denys's Church and Walmgate - yet creates a credible link to its context and the hundreds of years of history that surrounds it," said Rebeca Aguilera, associate at DMA.

DMA's concept for the façade interprets a contemporary approach to York's vernacular architecture, particularly referencing the area's detailed window and shop front designs. The use of brick solidifies the relationship between the hotel and the townscape, as red brick is a predominant material in the area, as well as establishing a link from the present day to the historic fabric of the city.