DMA has been working on the conversion of a prominent 1960s office block in York into Malmaison’s latest hotel, due to open in Q2 2021.The hotel will feature 150 guest bedrooms and suites, offering incredible views across York Minster and the famous City Walls. The hotel will also be home to new rooftop SkyBar, Sora, an Asian fusion tapas and cocktail bar, a brand new offering from the Malmaison group, alongside the iconic Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar, a popular destination staple of the brand nationwide. A new extension to the rear of the building will feature Malmaison’s distinctive Work+Play facilities with meeting pods ideal for hourly use or longer term co-working space, conference rooms and event space for up to 150 guests.

Locally known as the Aviva building, the brutalist structure truly reflects the principles of the mid-century style where design was dictated by function rather than form. Eight levels of concrete floorplates, façade and waffle ceilings will be retained as an integral part of the scheme.

The interior design concept takes inspiration directly from the building as well as York’s strong links with confectionary and famous families including Rowntree and Terry. Yves Klein blue painted concrete waffle ceilings feature in the reception, bar & restaurant and breakout spaces, and sit alongside bold block colour mid-century graphic inspired rugs and upholsteries. These stronger elements are accented by a more pared back base palette including terrazzo and timber flooring as well as black stained oak panelling and black lavastone bar fronts. Brass pendants by sixties icon Verner Panton sit adjacent to the façade of the building throughout the bar and restaurant space, with Warhol, Hockney, and Liechtenstein inspired artwork featuring throughout the spaces.

Guest bedrooms

Within the guest bedrooms, dark stained maple millwork sits on grey marble tiling. Recycled coconut shell marmoluem lined walls meet part height glazing and amber tinted glass shower enclosures. Tan leather upholstery is punctuated with black metalwork and bronze accents. Yves Klein blue and burnt orange – another key colour of the sixties – are playfully positioned as accents throughout, whilst bold geometric patterns are applied in the wallcovering and fabrics to further bolster the link to the brutalist architecture. Each guest bedroom has a feature artwork panel which references the alchemy behind the making of the infamous fruit pastille and is complimented by smaller brutalist architecture inspired framed pieces.

Sora sky bar

The seventh floor of the hotel will be home to new rooftop SkyBar, Sora, an Asian fusion tapas and cocktail bar,
with its own dedicated gold clad express lift. Conceptually, the space is separate from the hotel, focusing on the industrial heritage and extensive green spaces of York. Nature inspired upholsteries and soft furnishings contrast against crittall dividing screens. The spaces are designed with the view in mind, with the main features – the bar and striped feature ceiling to the centre of the space directing the guests’ gaze towards York Minster.