George Hotel

Designed by William Wallen and completed in 1851, The George Hotel stands on the northern side of St George’s Square, one of the finest town squares in the country. It is accompanied by the railway station, Lion Buildings and Britannia buildings all of which were completed as part of the Ramsden new town in the mid-19th century. The building has been extended twice during its 170 year existence. The 1930s wing, which has less architectural merit and rooms too small for a modern hotel, will be demolished and a new wing on the same footprint will be constructed. Empty for around 10 years the Grade II listed building was in a sorry state by the time Kirklees Council bought it in 2020. Initial work has been targeted at removal of asbestos and arresting decay. The huge scaffolding structure along with the printed façade sheeting and roof protection stopped any further water penetration whilst work was underway to repair the roof, windows, drainage and external masonry.  Removal of the scaffolding and roof protection has now revealed the restored stonework and windows in the main building facing St Georges Square and the John Williams Street façade. The interior is largely unaltered as this will be the focus of the next stage of development. Morgan Sindall will be on site early in 2024 to start on the work which will bring the whole building back to beneficial use as a hotel for Raddison Red.  The 1930s extension and the structure behind the John William Street façade will both be demolished and rebuilt to accommodate the en suite facilities now required by customers. In between there will be a spacious atrium bringing light to the core of the finished building.