 Beetham Tower, Manchester, a major Yianis Group asset | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate |
| Founder | John Christodoulou |
| Headquarters | Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom |
Key people | John Christodoulou (Chairman) |
| Owner | John Christodoulou |
| Website | www.yianis.com |
Yianis Group is a British property development and investment company based in London, wholly owned by the Cypriot-born British billionaire John Christodoulou. The group owns a portfolio of freehold office, residential, hotel, retail, and leisure properties across the United Kingdom and Europe.[1]
Overview
Yianis Group operates through multiple subsidiaries that acquire, manage, and invest in real estate assets, often long-term freeholds in prime urban locations. The company is particularly noted for its hotel investments under global brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Radisson, as well as mixed-use developments combining commercial and residential properties.[2]
Major assets
Yianis Group holds a diversified portfolio of commercial and hospitality properties across several major UK cities.
In London, the group owns two landmark hotels situated in Canary Wharf — the London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf and the Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel.[1] These properties form part of the broader Canary Riverside development, a mixed-use complex comprising hotels, residences, offices, and leisure facilities along the River Thames.
In Manchester, Yianis Group owns the Hilton Manchester Deansgate, located within the 47-storey Beetham Tower, one of the city’s most recognisable skyscrapers. Following a protracted legal dispute concerning façade repairs, the group’s subsidiary, Blue Manchester Ltd, acquired the freehold of the building in 2021.[3]
In Liverpool, the company owns the Radisson Blu Hotel, Liverpool, a waterfront property located in the city’s central business district. The group also owns the Park Inn by Radisson Palace Hotel, Southend-on-Sea in Southend-on-Sea, a historic seafront hotel overlooking the Thames Estuary.
Beyond these major hospitality assets, Yianis Group holds a range of freehold commercial properties across London, including Wool House (E1), Zeus House (N1), Olympic House (N16), St John’s Court (N16), and Simpson House (N16).[1]
Legal and regulatory issues
Canary Riverside litigation and insurance commissions
At the Canary Riverside estate in London Docklands, leaseholders brought proceedings against a Yianis-linked freeholder over excessive service charges and undisclosed insurance commissions. In December 2022, a property tribunal ruled that landlord entities had overcharged leaseholders by approximately £1.6 million.[4] In March 2024, the Upper Tribunal upheld the decision, finding that the landlord "had failed to demonstrate" entitlement to more than £579,039 of £1.63 million in insurance costs, meaning around £1.06 million was not payable by leaseholders.[5]
Building Safety Act enforcement
In April 2024, the UK government began proceedings under the Building Safety Act 2022 requiring Yianis Group to contribute an estimated £20.5 million toward building-safety remediation at Canary Riverside — one of the first cases brought under the new legislation.[6][7]
Additional cost orders
In September 2025, the Upper Tribunal ordered Yianis-controlled landlord entities to pay £52,760 in costs to leaseholders and estate managers for “unreasonable conduct” in prolonged litigation.[8]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Portfolio". Yianis Group. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "John Christodoulou Profile". Forbes. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ Turner, Alex (3 August 2021). "Beetham Tower sale ends owner's legal nightmare". The Business Desk. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "London leaseholders win rare victory in battle over service charges". Financial Times. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "[2024] UKUT 72 (LC)" (PDF). Upper Tribunal, Lands Chamber. March 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "UK sends Canary Wharf landlord first cladding bill under new powers". Financial Times. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "Docklands test case for cladding bill". The Times. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "Canary Riverside Section 24 legal update". CanaryRiverside.london. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
