York’s downtown lodging scene expands with new arts hotel

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Downtown York‘s Continental Square is undergoing a transformation with the addition of a new 20-room boutique hotel slated to open in 2027.

The historic building located at 1 South George Street, formerly known as the Hartman Building and later the Futer Building, dates back to the mid-1800s.

Over the years, the structure was home to businesses like jewelers, shoe stores and grocers on the first floor, a public hall on the second and rented offices on the third. During the Civil War, World War I and World War II, it also served as home to military recruiting offices.

The building, which sat largely vacant for years, will soon welcome guests seeking a stay that pulls directly from York’s vibrant street art culture, with design elements drawn from murals in Mural Park and throughout the city.

The $4.6 million Mural Arts Hotel project aims to attract visitors looking to enjoy York’s vibrant nightlife while staying at a property that embraces the arts.

“There will be murals on the custom wallpaper behind the beds, in the halls and on the back façade,” said Abby Shank, Real Estate Project Development Manager, Royal Square Development and Construction.

York-based Royal Square is a team of 20 professionals committed to revitalizing historic spaces and driving economic growth in downtown York.

Location, Location, Location

The new hotel will be steps away from the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, Central Market, the History Center, WellSpan Park and the Royal Square District.

Shank said the project grew out of discussions about what was needed in downtown York.

According to Shank, the Mural Arts Hotel is meant to be a complement to the nearby Yorktowne Hotel rather than compete with it.

“We know that artists tend to be early adopters, so this could be known as a place where the “kids stay,” she said, referring to the property’s invisible service model. Traditional front-

desk interactions will be replaced by technology that allows guests to check in digitally, receive electronic room credentials and enter their rooms without stopping at a front desk.

Another feature expected to appeal to visitors is Nama Sushi, which will be located on the first floor of the hotel and will seat approximately 40 guests. The popular local restaurant currently operates out of York’s Central Market.

“Their presence adds another vibrant gathering point to one of Downtown York’s most walkable and active corners, “said Shank.

Positive Projections

Shank projects weekend occupancy rates between 60 and 70 percent and will be monitored as York city continues to grow.

“It’s the first hotel in Royal Square’s portfolio and may eventually open our eyes to other projects downtown,” she said.

Sarah O’Brien, Director of Downtown Inc. calls the investment “transformative.”

“We applaud Royal Square for their continued commitment to preserving and reimagining historic properties in ways that strengthen our economy, celebrate our creative identity and create new reasons for people to visit, stay and invest in our downtown,” she said.

O’Brien notes that Nama Sushi began as a microenterprise in Central Market and will soon occupy exist in a prominent location on the ground floor of the landmark project.

“It demonstrates how local businesses can start small, grow organically and become destination establishments that contribute to the vibrancy and authenticity of our downtown,” she said.

Laura Wagner, President, Explore York, called the concept a natural fit for York City’s thriving arts and cultural scene.

“As York County continues to attract new visitors, distinctive accommodations such as this help enhance the overall experience and encourage guests to spend more time discovering everything our community has to offer,” she said. The mix of restaurants, attractions, galleries and entertainment venues, she added, makes downtown York a memorable place to visit.

For Royal Square Development and Construction, the Mural Arts Hotel represents more than another adaptive-reuse project. By transforming a long-vacant historic building into a destination that celebrates York’s artistic identity, developers hope to create a lodging experience that reflects both the city’s past and its evolving future.

Stephanie Kalina-Metzger is a freelance writer