Royal York Hotel

The Royal York Hotel is a hotel built between 1937 and 1938 by J B Harrison and H P Gilkes, with alterations made in the mid- and late 20th century. It is a steel-frame structure clad in brick with painted stucco render and dressings, and has concealed flat roofs. The hotel is four stories high. The entrance elevation is canted with three bays, and has two bays to the right. There are two rear bedroom wings, the wing to the left having a cross-wing at its end, the angle of which has been partially filled in by a mid- to late-20th century single-story addition.

The building is in the Modern Movement style and features glazed doors, small-paned metal windows with cill and lintel bands, and a balustrade with flat coping. The entrance facade is dominated by a central circular tower, with circular concrete steps leading to glazed double doors and side doors, the latter with moulded horizontal glazing bars over a panel. A flat-roofed porch has been added, and there are three tall stair windows with pilaster buttresses flanking the central one, as well as three attic windows. Bowed, flat-roofed windows are on the ground floor flanking the tower, and there are three-light windows above on each floor. The two bays to the right have curved windows to the ground floor (one now containing a door) and curved balconies above, with paired glazed doors and side-lights to each bay. The right corner is bowed, with a curved window on each floor. The left return has a stepped facade and mainly three-light windows. Near the centre, three bays are emphasised, with a wide former entrance to the ballroom on the ground floor (now treated as windows) and double doors flanking it. Full-width balconies are on each floor above.

The interior features an impressive circular stair with a metal balustrade supported by pairs of female figurines on the first flight, and a circular roof-light with radial glazing bars. The ballroom retains its original wooden floor, curved columns, coloured glass, and decorative metal borders to the stage ceiling light. A similar large ceiling light and decorative railings are present in the former "Palm Court" lounge. Glazed doors have horizontal wooden bars. The bedrooms have been re-ordered but retain simple architraves to doors and some original wall-cupboards. A roof-top balcony is also present. The hotel is a good example of a 1930s Modern Movement hotel.