Opened in May 2010 and renovated and extended in 2017–18, it is an Edwardian building dating to 1906, originally the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway, with views of the York city walls and York Minster.

The Grand's building opened in 1906, as the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway (then one of the richest businesses in Britain);[3][4][5] The NER's architect William Bell produced the basic structural design and commissioned architect Horace Field worked on the external and internal design.

It is believed their design won a silver medal at an exhibition in Paris in 1904.

[5][8] The hotel opened with 107 rooms (13 suites), a spa, two restaurants (The Rise, and the 3 AA-rosette Hudsons), and business meeting facilities for up to 120 people.

[9] In the 2010s expansion, the number of rooms was increased to 207,[5] and the White Rose Lounge was added.