Investor and developer, Lamington Group unveils York based hometel brand, room2 project
B-Corp real estate investor and developer, Lamington Group, is delighted to unveil details of its next project under the award-winning, eco hometel brand, room2, with a York property set to start site development this Summer, and open in early 2026.
This will be the brand’s first in the North of England and continues the group’s leading commitment to take real action on climate change by building and operating net-zero carbon properties.
The £30m 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. Located inside the city’s castle walls, room2 York, will offer 116 guest rooms, a meeting space, laundry room, gym, and new Winnie’s cafe and bar concept specialising in home cooked and locally grown food.
Robert Godwin, CEO at Lamington Group said: “room2 York will be a fantastic development that we are delighted to be progressing despite challenging economic conditions. 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.”
room2 York 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. The hometel 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 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.
room2 currently has four operational locations, in Southampton, Hammersmith and Chiswick, along with the most recent property, room2 Belfast, which opened in October 2023. To see room2 hometels’ This is Our Home video, please click the link HERE.
Lamington Group is a multi-award-winning independent family-owned real estate investment and development company, which was founded in the 1960s and is based in West London. Led by CEO Robert Godwin, the group has made the commitment to only build and operate to whole-life net zero standards for any new properties developed following the launch of their pioneering net zero roadmap in September 2021. Lamington Group has a family of brands comprising room2; Lamington Apartments; Lamington Developments; Lamington Lettings and Missionworks coworking.
room2 is the UK’s first hometel brand, conceived in 2015 by Lamington Group. The brainchild of brothers Robert and Stuart Godwin, former members of the British Olympic Development Sailing team, hometels combine the best elements from Airbnb, serviced apartments and boutique hotels in an offering designed to appeal equally to corporate and leisure guests and those seeking alternative forms of residential accommodation.
With innovative features such as 24-hour stays as standard, mattress selection, room2’s highly flexible offer provides kitchens in most rooms and is available from one night to one year. room2 currently has four operational locations, in Southampton, Hammersmith and Chiswick, along with the most recent property, room2 Belfast, which opened in October 2023.
Andrew Stanton Founder & Editor of 'PROPTECH-X' where his insights, connections, analysis and commentary on proptech and real estate are based on writing 1.3M words annually. Plus meeting 1,000 Proptech founders, critiquing 400 decks and having had 130 clients as CEO of 'PROPTECH-PR', a consultancy for Proptech founders seeking growth and exit strategies. He also acts as an advisory for major global real estate companies on sales, acquisitions, market positioning & operations. With 100K followers & readers, he is the 'Proptech Realestate Influencer.'
