A HOTEL in York which is regarded as one of the finest Georgian town homes in England has been sold to a mystery buyer for £1.7 million.

The Judges' Lodging, in Lendal, was sold in a quick transaction by estate agent Claude Elmer, of Acomb, York, which was acting for the previous owner, Ray Laciok.

Now the buyer, thought to be "a well-known York businessman on his first hotel venture", is believed to be planning a huge revamp of the Grade I listed building.

The Judges' Lodging has 14 en suite bedrooms, a cellar bar, a well-known restaurant, conference rooms, outside tables in good weather and is steeped in history.

It was built in 1720 as a town house for Dr Clifton Wintringham on the graveyard of the demolished St Wilfrid's Church.

The building was inherited by his son, Clifton Junior who before he died in 1794, became physician general to the army in the Austrian War of Succession, was appointed physician to King George III, was knighted in 1762, and received a baronetcy two years later.

Bought out of Yorkshire County Council rates in 1806, the elegant three-storey brick building was made available as lodgings to circuit judges then later sold to a York man, Gerald Mason and his French-born wife, Christianne, who converted it into a successful hotel.

Ironically, when the premises were put up for sale by the Masons in March, 1989, the asking price was £1.4 million - not far short of today's total, although at the time that figure was later slashed by £400,000.

Ultimately it was bought by Mr Laciok, of Polish-Scottish origins. Like the new buyer he had been impressed by the Venetian-style entrance, Ionic columns and, as the keystone, the head of Aesculapius, the Greek god of healing who was the son of Apollo.

Claude Elmer said: "Mr Laciok had another hotel in St Andrews. He was spending four days in York and three in Scotland. It became a strain so he decided to sell the York hotel.

"For the past few weeks he has been helping the new buyer to settle in. The buyer wants to remain anonymous for the time being. He has plans for a complete renovation."

Updated: 11:35 Tuesday, May 25, 2004