International hotel operator MEININGER is expanding into Edinburgh after agreeing a deal with property development company S Harrison, which will see a 1970s office building in the Haymarket area transformed into a stunning new hotel. York-based S Harrison acquired Osborne House in 2018 and has worked with Edinburgh based architect
WORK is well underway at the innovative Jesse’s House project in West London, with the leisure offering of the new family club venture being delivered by international modular pool provider Myrtha Pools this month. Partnering with distributor Barr + Wray, the firm is set to deliver its signature outdoor and indoor pools for
Improvement work to the external façade of the Health Hydro leisure centre in Swindon has commenced. Owned by Swindon Borough council the centre closed earlier this year, extensive surveys have been carried out, which could not be done while the building was in use. Now, scaffolding has been put up
The historic Hydraulic Tower and Engine House at Bramley-Moore Dock is set to be handed over to Everton for the next phase of works. Painstaking work has been undertaken over the past two years to restore the Listed building, dating back to 1883, to its former glory. And with the
Tate Liverpool today announced Gilbert-Ash as the main contractor for a major reimagining of the landmark gallery on Royal Albert Dock. This £29.75 million redevelopment will transform one of the UK’s most important spaces for modern and contemporary art. Designed by 6a architects, the plans have recently been granted planning
Willmott Dixon has completed the once-in-a-generation £132 million transformation of Bristol Beacon, one of the most iconic cultural landmarks in the South West of England. It has taken five years and involved more than a million hours of time to create a flagship venue that will attract thousands of people
Seventy Ninth Group, an asset management company headquartered in North West England, has agreed terms to purchase two holiday parks for acquisition and subsequent redevelopment. Set in exclusive locations in Scotland, the Seventy Ninth Group plans to build up to 700 holiday lodges which will feature on site dining, as
A new 5,355 square metre tourism hostel has opened its doors in the heart of Dublin, which An Bord Pleanála described will ‘contribute positively to the animation of the area and provide an active use in itself.” The 634-bed hostel spreads over eleven floors and has been designed and delivered
Plans have been approved by Oxford City Council to create a new landmark timber cycle pavilion in the heart of Oxford North to provide secure long-stay and short-stay spaces for phase 1a of Oxford’s new £700 million innovation district. Designed by the project’s masterplanners Fletcher Priest Architects on behalf of
Bristol Abbey Wood Travelodge is located at Abbey Wood Retail Park and will create 25 new jobs Travelodge also announces its Bristol expansion programme and is actively looking for a further four hotel sites Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, which operates nearly 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland
International hotel operator MEININGER is expanding into Edinburgh after agreeing a deal with property development company S Harrison, which will see a 1970s office building in the Haymarket area transformed into a stunning new hotel. York-based S Harrison acquired Osborne House in 2018 and has worked with Edinburgh based architect Comprehensive Design Architects on the transformational plans for the building, which will include 157 bedrooms and incorporate a bar and lounge area on the ground floor. The building, which is located just West of Edinburgh’s city centre, is close to the Haymarket tram stop, and only a short walk from Princess Street. A key player in the hybrid hotel market, all MEININGER hotels have their own individual style and offer flexible and affordable modern accommodation alongside a reception, lobby, lounge, breakfast room and bar, as well as a guest kitchen and games zone. Since MEININGER unveiled its first hotel in Berlin in 1999, it has grown considerably and now offers more than 19,000 beds in 26 European cities such as Kraków, Cologne, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Milan, Paris, Rome and Vienna. The 157-bedroom Edinburgh hotel will have 549 beds in a mix of rooms including classic doubles, and private multiple-bed rooms. It will also have a taxi drop off area, disabled parking and secure cycle store. Work will start on the new hotel early next year. Ann Scott, managing director at S Harrison said: “We’re very pleased to agree this deal and look forward to seeing our vision for Osborne House begin to take shape. Edinburgh remains one of Europe’s most popular destinations for tourists and business travellers, hence our decision to hold this asset to further strengthen our investment portfolio. “MEININGER has established an enviable reputation for offering modern, well-designed hybrid hotels in key cities throughout Europe that appeal to all types of guests. “When all this is combined with Osborne House’s location, in a very vibrant area, just a five-minute walk from Haymarket station and close to both Murrayfield Stadium and Edinburgh city centre, there’s no doubt it will become a very popular hotel.” Ajit Menon, CEO at MEININGER Hotels added: “We are excited to bring the proven and successful MEININGER hybrid hotel concept to Edinburgh, re-entering the United Kingdom and further expanding our presence in Europe. We believe that Edinburgh, with its lively, diverse and unique nature resonates with the MEININGER culture. Edinburgh attracts families, couples, backpackers, school groups, friends and business travellers alike, making the city a perfect fit for our brand.” S Harrison has made a substantial investment in Edinburgh in recent years and this latest hotel project follows the company delivering the landmark boutique hotel for Malmaison in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. The work saw the Grade A listed Buchan House, on the north-west corner of St Andrew Square, converted into a stylish 72-bedroom hotel complete with Malmaison’s renowned Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie. The developer also recently secured planning permission for two purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) schemes consisting of 64 studio apartments, on East Newington Place, off Newington Road and 76 studios within the historic surroundings of Canongate, just behind the Royal Mile. In addition, S Harrison recently submitted exciting proposals for a residential-led development at Ocean Point 2 in Leith for planning approval. Time Out recently named Leith as one of the ‘world’s coolest neighbourhoods.’ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WORK is well underway at the innovative Jesse’s House project in West London, with the leisure offering of the new family club venture being delivered by international modular pool provider Myrtha Pools this month. Partnering with distributor Barr + Wray, the firm is set to deliver its signature outdoor and indoor pools for the Jesse’s House concept – a combined offering for remote working parents and their young children that promotes education, relaxation, and wellbeing under one roof. The stainless steel pools, which are manufactured offsite to minimise installation time and boost project efficiency, will be the first under the Jesse’s House banner in Parsons Green. The new facilities will include a nursery, fully equipped gym and exercise studio – closely mirroring Little Houses Group’s (LHG) first site, Jaego’s House, in Kensal Rise. Kate McKnight, country manager UK & Ireland at Myrtha Pools, said: “This project is all about grassroots development, giving parents and children the opportunity to learn, relax and unwind all within one central space. It is a fairly unique concept and an exciting venture to partner on, especially with this being the first pool to be used under the Jesse’s House banner. “We’re looking forward to working together closely to bring this brand new offering to the public in West London, which provides something for absolutely everybody.” Craig Steele, sales + estimating manager at Barr + Wray, said: “What Jesse’s House is getting is really modern pool technology. Myrtha Pools offer unrivalled benefits in energy efficiency, as well as corrosion and leak prevention that futureproofs pools for decades to come. “We’re excited to begin this new chapter for Jesse’s House, combining all the offsite benefits that come with modern methods of construction (MMC), with sustainable and integrated pool solutions that allow families to enjoy water and swimming from an early age.” Set for late spring 2024 opening, the newest offering from Jesse’s House will follow the LHG’s formula of providing spaces that are ‘unpretentious, fun and practical, providing families with a place to play, hang out, eat, work, and exercise.’ Rosie Moss, head of property at LHG, said: “The new pools installed by the team at Myrtha and Barr + Wray are the next step in facilitating environments that offer numerous health, wellbeing and relaxation benefits in one central space. “Myrtha Pools is a market leader in the leisure industry, so it was a natural decision to partner with them and begin this fantastic new indoor and outdoor space for the community of Parsons Green. “We now look forward to welcoming the general public in 2024 with a facility that will make a difference in people’s lives through education, support and enjoyment.” Myrtha Pools offer a 45% smaller carbon footprint than traditional methods of construction – which use tile and concrete – and cost savings of up to 20%. For more information, visit https://www.myrthapools.com/en/dealers/myrtha-pools-uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Improvement work to the external façade of the Health Hydro leisure centre in Swindon has commenced. Owned by Swindon Borough council the centre closed earlier this year, extensive surveys have been carried out, which could not be done while the building was in use. Now, scaffolding has been put up in order to repair failing roofs and sections of the stonework and windows. This work is part of a £6.9 million refurbishment programme which is being funded using money from the Council, the Government’s Towns Fund and Historic England. When complete, users will experience substantial improvements with enhanced changing facilities, a new entrance and fitness suite in the former washing baths hall and a new mechanical, electrical and plumbing plant system to service the main pool and improve the building’s environmental performance. As this is only the first phase of works, further funding is needed for the £5.7m second phase. Last month a £4.6m grant bid was submitted to the National Heritage Lottery Fund, which will aim to fund the completion of the restoration and enhancement of the main pool hall. Overall, the Health Hydro project will repair and insulate the main pool hall roof, deliver substantial improvements to the building’s environmental performance and undertake conservation works to the exterior and interior including the spectator gallery and stained-glass window. The project will also focus on how to showcase the building’s remarkable history and its role in informing the blueprint for the NHS. The success of the first stage of this bid will be revealed in March 2024. If successful, a second application will then need to be prepared and submitted. Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Heritage, Art and Culture, said: “This bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund signals a new era and wave of optimism for Swindon’s heritage and marks an important milestone for the restoration and regeneration of this building. “The Hydro is an important landmark for the town and it’s one we want to see restored to its former glory and available for future generations to enjoy. “We have recently embarked on developing a new Heritage Plan, which will chart our next priorities for unlocking the value and opportunities from Swindon’s rich heritage, not only including the Hydro but also in the rest of the Railway Village and the Borough as a whole.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The historic Hydraulic Tower and Engine House at Bramley-Moore Dock is set to be handed over to Everton for the next phase of works. Painstaking work has been undertaken over the past two years to restore the Listed building, dating back to 1883, to its former glory. And with the external remediation works close to completion, including salvaging and reinstating existing brickwork, extensive re-pointing and the installation of new windows and doors sympathetic to the original design, the next phase of internal works to help breathe new life into the structure will commence next year. Emily Watson, Assistant Section Manager at Laing O’Rourke, explained: “We’ve have had to undertake a lot of remedial repairs and original make-safe works to get the building into a safe spot. “There has been some major re-pointing work, some new roofing elements installed and some structural work to make the building safe for the next stage. “The heritage aspect has always been a careful consideration. Originally, there were a lot of plans that needed to be signed off by Liverpool City Council, planning consultants CBRE and Heritage Project Management. “We’ve had close relationships throughout, and they have carried out inspections throughout the process too. There have also been Listed Building conditions that we’ve had to sign off and go through just to make sure that everyone was happy with what we were doing to the Grade II Listed structure. “That includes providing samples and showing them drawings, such as the windows and doors, so they can keep in touch with progress. “There was another Listed Building condition that meant we had to get sign off on the brickwork, so it could match the original design as much as possible. “In fact, the bricks from the old station master’s office, which was taken down because it was unstable, were all salvaged. The rebuild was actually done with all the existing brickwork, to keep it exactly the same.” Complementing the major project to renovate the Hydraulic Tower and Engine House has been an extensive amount of work to restore heritage assets to the site, particularly across the Fan Plaza. With the help of a £15m grant from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, historic maritime features such as railway lines, capstans, mooring bollards and cobblestones – a feature during the dock’s heyday, when Liverpool’s docks dominated global trade – have been recorded, tagged and carefully reinstated. In total, more than 400 heritage assets have been preserved, with any additional items used as either exhibition items, or to be bequeathed to Liverpool City Council or Peel Waters for future development. And with the Fan Plaza currently being paved, and decorative benches featuring the famous Archibald Leitch truss design installed – the jaw-dropping entrance to the stadium site is gradually coming to fruition. The main feature, however, is sure to be the imposing Hydraulic Tower, which will even feature the original air raid siren bolted back onto the side of the building, following yet more work to restore it and cover it in a protective coating. Emily added: “When we first came, the air-raid siren had to be taken off, so we could replicate the original bracket on which it hung. “We’ve now refitted it onto the building and it has had a special coating, so it can remain there” “We now have the last ongoing works with the glazing, the louvres and the doors, and we’ve started to layer the roof, then there will just a few final touches, such as flashing and give it one last clean over before it can be handed over.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tate Liverpool today announced Gilbert-Ash as the main contractor for a major reimagining of the landmark gallery on Royal Albert Dock. This £29.75 million redevelopment will transform one of the UK’s most important spaces for modern and contemporary art. Designed by 6a architects, the plans have recently been granted planning permission and listed building consent. This year Gilbert-Ash completed work on the National Portrait Gallery in London and previously worked on the Stirling Prize winning Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. They have also acted as the main contractor for other celebrated cultural capital projects, including Battersea Arts Centre and Bristol Old Vic. Their heritage portfolio includes the refurbishment and restoration of the Grade II-listed City of London Freemen’s School and the refurbishment and extension of the Grade I-listed kitchen and dining building at Jesus College, Cambridge. Emma King, Capital Director, Tate, said: “Gilbert-Ash’s track record of working to the highest standards on both cultural and heritage buildings makes them the perfect contractors to deliver the reimagined Tate Liverpool. We look forward to collaborating with the architects and contractors to deliver this once-in-a-generation renewal, creating an art museum fit for the 21st century.” Raymond Gilroy, Construction Director, Gilbert-Ash, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to deliver this landmark and transformational project at Tate Liverpool. It is another unique project to add to our extensive portfolio in the Cultural, Arts and Heritage sector. Project Director, Rodney Coalter, who recently completed the National Portrait Gallery, London, will head up the team. The team is already in place finalising plans to deal with the many logistical and technical challenges that lie ahead, in advance of a start on site in early 2024. We are looking forward to developing successful and collaborative relationships with both our new client at Tate Liverpool, the wider project consultant team, and to a very successful project delivery.” Tate Liverpool is housed in an iconic 1846 warehouse that was redesigned by Sir James Stirling and Michael Wilford in the late 1980’s as the cornerstone of the reinvention of the Royal Albert Dock. It helped establish Tate as a pioneer for arts-led regeneration in the UK. The upcoming transformation will reimagine the gallery to meet the scale and ambition of today’s most exciting artists and to welcome visitors into a brand new museum environment. The designs include a new public ‘Art Hall’ on the ground floor, opened up to admit daylight and views across the historic dock. New gallery spaces over three floors will showcase the incredible diversity of Tate’s collection and are interspersed with public riverside foyers. Opening up the gallery’s façade will increase its visibility on the waterfront and within the Royal Albert Dock, creating an inviting destination with striking spaces for learning, play and relaxation. Environmental standards and thermal performance will be significantly improved with new services replacing fossil fuel, with renewables and natural ventilation introduced to the building to ensure better energy performance. Planning permission and listed building consent for the project was granted by Liverpool City Council in October and construction will commence early in 2024. Funding for the £29.7 million project has come from the UK Government, including £10m from the Levelling Up Fund, as part of a successful combined £20m bid with National Museums Liverpool, and £6.6m from the DCMS Public Bodies Infrastructure Fund. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority also awarded funding for the developmental phase of the project via its Strategic Investment Fund. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon has completed the once-in-a-generation £132 million transformation of Bristol Beacon, one of the most iconic cultural landmarks in the South West of England. It has taken five years and involved more than a million hours of time to create a flagship venue that will attract thousands of people each year to see some of the world’s best entertainment acts. Described by Arts Council England as “one of the great cultural icons of modern-day Britain”, the largest concert venue in the region also represents the second largest investment in the arts in England by the Arts Council in the last 10 years. Thanks to the structural refurbishment led by Willmott Dixon, Bristol Beacon now boasts four new world-class performance spaces, allowing it to deliver over 800 events a year and generate an estimated £13 million annually to the economy. Its music education centre in the transformed and previously inaccessible cellars, called Bristol Water Sound Studios, will enable 30,000 children a year to use new state-of-the-art practice and rehearsal spaces. As well as having some of the best acoustics of any concert hall in Europe, it will also have some of the highest levels of physical accessibility throughout making it truly accessible to everyone, both artists and audiences. Sustainability has also been built in – the environmentally conscious design of the transformed venue will contribute to its net zero goal by 2030 and adapt Bristol Beacon for a lifetime of sustainable use. Richard David, director who led Willmott Dixon’s team at the Bristol Beacon, said: “I can’t emphasise enough just how proud Willmott Dixon is to be a part of Bristol Beacon’s renewal. Its complexities and challenges have been like nothing the team has ever undertaken, yet everyone has risen to the challenge and both our team and our supply chain partners deserve recognition for their commitment and dedication. “The project has required intricate planning at every stage, and we have ensured that since the start we have truly respected the heritage of the building, its conservation, restoration and renovation, as well as understanding the building structure and fabric. An extraordinary amount of work and skill has been required to resolve the issues we faced; archaeological, historical, logistical and technical. “The building that has been delivered is incredible. Bristol Beacon is so much more than a construction project and will have a fantastic impact on the city for generations to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Seventy Ninth Group, an asset management company headquartered in North West England, has agreed terms to purchase two holiday parks for acquisition and subsequent redevelopment. Set in exclusive locations in Scotland, the Seventy Ninth Group plans to build up to 700 holiday lodges which will feature on site dining, as well as modern health and spa facilities. The two projects have a gross development value (GDV) in excess of £300 million combined. Once built, the lodges will be offered for sale at a starting price of £200,000.00. Seventy Ninth Group specialises in the acquisition and redevelopment of undervalued assets across its core sectors of real estate and natural resources. The redevelopment of holiday and leisure parks is just one of key market sectors in real estate for the company. The other sectors include residential and commercial office parks. The Group is owned by the Webster family, who hold a unique position in both the real estate and natural resource sectors, specialising in the acquisition, management and development of high growth assets with a focus on deploying sustainable investment strategies. Managing Director of the Group, Jake Webster, says; “We are delighted to be able to add this latest acquisition to our portfolio. The leisure sector has been a significant area for growth for us as we look to redevelop these two sites into luxury leisure accommodation. “The nature of the UK staycation market is evolving. Expectations are growing around the quality of accommodation and facilities expected on site with many holiday makers seeking a luxury experience. “Investment is key to operators who want to compete in this luxury space as they look to upgrade, refurbish and expand their offering. For investors this means there is a real opportunity for long term, stable returns. “ The Seventy Ninth Group is an award-winning asset management company headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded by serial entrepreneur David Webster and his two sons, Jake and Curtis Webster. The Seventy Ninth Group holds a unique and advantageous position in both the real estate and natural resource sectors, specialising in the acquisition, management and development of lucrative assets during times of economic turmoil and uncertainty. A family-owned business, the Seventy Ninth Group is chaired by David and his sons, Jake and Curtis, along with an experienced board of directors most of whom derive from a banking & compliance background. The Seventy Ninth Group is renowned for its strong family values of loyalty, honesty, and reliability, and is respected by their clients globally. Forward Looking Information This press release contains certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “will continue”, “will occur” or “will be achieved”. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, information concerning the Company identifying an appropriate business combination target and its future plans for pursuing a stock exchange listing in Canada. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward- looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward- looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward- looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward- looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new 5,355 square metre tourism hostel has opened its doors in the heart of Dublin, which An Bord Pleanála described will ‘contribute positively to the animation of the area and provide an active use in itself.” The 634-bed hostel spreads over eleven floors and has been designed and delivered by HKR Architects for Abbey Cottages Limited and Clink Hostels. It features dining facilities, café, in-house bar, travel shop, luggage lockers and guest kitchen and a range of accommodation to suit travellers needs with private ensuite rooms, non-ensuite rooms, female only and mixed dorms with private or shared bathrooms and all air conditioned. Designed to contribute positively to the character and appearance of the area, the façade composition and mix of materials creates an interesting and playful frontage in keeping with the street conditions on Abbey Street Upper. Kola Ojeyomi, Director of HKR Architects comments, “Tourism is important to Ireland and Dublin and across the globe the growth for hostels is growing, primarily driven by the rising millennial population. It is vital that cities, including Dublin, have a wide range of differing accommodation types to align with this demand. “At Abbey Street Upper we have replaced existing commercial buildings on site to create a scheme with a plot area ratio of nine. This level of density has allowed us to achieve the optimum site value, something we take pride in delivering on all our sites.” The design has included setting back the upper two floors and roof of the development and has ensured that it reinforces and strengthens the civic character and dignity of its central location. Ivan Dolan from Clink Hostels comments, “Our new hostel, which is in the heart of one of the most up and coming areas of the city, is creating a new standard for the Irish market. We are delighted to have worked with HKR Architects to deliver the biggest hostel in the city, which forms part of our ambitious growth plans. “This high specification, modern and centrally located property also has sustainability at the forefront, making it the highest energy-environmentally rated hostel in Ireland.” The use of glazing in the design for the first two floors, who houses the communal amenities allows light to flood into the space, while other windows are finished with obscure glazing to allow for privacy to the nearby residential apartments. For details on HKR Architects please visit www.hkrarchitects.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, HKR Architects, Instagram hkr_architects and Twitter @HKR_architects Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans have been approved by Oxford City Council to create a new landmark timber cycle pavilion in the heart of Oxford North to provide secure long-stay and short-stay spaces for phase 1a of Oxford’s new £700 million innovation district. Designed by the project’s masterplanners Fletcher Priest Architects on behalf of Oxford North Ventures, the joint venture company of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Cadillac Fairview and Stanhope, the prominent two-storey radial building, which was inspired by wheel spokes, will be located in the new market square alongside the Red Hall and central park. The new pavilion will provide 191 first-floor secure long-stay cycle spaces dedicated to people working in the Red Hall and Building 1 & 2. It will include a power gully on the stairs to assist in carrying bicycles, along with ground-floor short-stay spaces and a bike repair station. End-of-trip facilities will be in the basement of the adjacent Red Hall with 16 showers and changing facilities and an accessible provision at ground level. These cycle spaces will be in addition to the dedicated 444 spaces with showering facilities which will be provided in each of phase 2’s recently approved Plot A, B and C laboratory buildings. The pavilion’s radial structure timber frame will significantly reduce its embodied carbon and have low energy usage in operation. The design has been based on timber’s construction characteristics which will reduce the need and carbon intensity of an additional structural material for stability. Simple vertical timber battens will enclose the upper storey and provide views across the market square and a translucency which will create a warm ‘lantern’ effect in the evening to enliven the surrounding area. In addition to the architectural design, the project team has included sustainability, accessibility and inclusive design consultants and lighting, fire and security engineers. David Camp, chief executive officer, Stanhope said: “This decision is great news for cyclists! Our project is focused on transforming local travel habits and making cycling more convenient and sustainable for those working and visiting in the future. “We have positioned the pavilion in a key location at the masterplan’s heart to celebrate the bicycle as a mode of sustainable transport. The circular timber structure will act as a focal point, adjacent to the recently consented, enhanced and expanded Red Hall, the central landscape and market square. The pavilion will provide secure long and short-stay spaces and repair facilities serving our three first-phase buildings that are currently under construction.” Philip Pryke, senior associate, Fletcher Priest Architects added: “We are thrilled that our designs for Oxford North’s new timber cycle pavilion have been given the green light. With Oxford one of the UK’s leading cycling cities, it will give bicycle use the prominence it deserves within the new urban district being created. “Our two-storey approach reduces the building’s footprint and the main enclosed body of the pavilion being raised off the ground will deliver views across the market square. It is about ensuring the building is visible and accessible from all sides meaning that, along with the A40 and A44 cycle improvements, the decision to cycle to and from Oxford North will be as easy as possible.” Oxford North’s Phase 1a is targeting practical completion in Q2 2025. Acting on behalf of Oxford North Ventures for the cycle pavilion were Fletcher Priest Architects, Savills, AKT II, Hoare Lea, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, Pritchard Themis, Turner & Townend Alinea, OFR Consultants, People Friendly Design, Gardiner & Theobald, and QCIC. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bristol Abbey Wood Travelodge is located at Abbey Wood Retail Park and will create 25 new jobs Travelodge also announces its Bristol expansion programme and is actively looking for a further four hotel sites Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, which operates nearly 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain announces it has ‘topped out’ at its new hotel development at Abbey Wood Retail Park. This is the group’s seventh hotel in Bristol. The 85-room Bristol Abbey Wood Travelodge is being developed and funded by Invesco Real Estate and the scheme is being constructed by Marshalls Construction. The hotel is scheduled to open for summer trading in 2024. The hotel is located close to the Bristol Ministry of Defence offices – which is the largest MoD office in the UK and within easy access to the M4, M5 and Bristol city centre. Bristol Abbey Wood Travelodge is being developed to the group’s new premium look and feel design – which includes all the low cost efficiencies you would expect from Travelodge but with the added benefit of thoughtful, stylish design and homely touches throughout its interiors. The hotel will also feature the group’s on-site restaurant called The Bar Cafe offering a breakfast, dinner and bar menu. Bristol is a key growth area for Travelodge, as the group is currently searching for a further four hotel sites across the city. This expansion programme could represent a multi-million pound investment for third party investors and create over a hundred new jobs. Steve Bennett, Chief Property and Development Officer, Travelodge, said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone in the construction of our seventh hotel in Bristol. The topping out ceremony was a great opportunity to celebrate the great work Marshall Construction is doing and to thank everyone who has supported us so far. “We are on schedule to open our Bristol Abbey Wood Travelodge in time for summer trading in 2024. “This development is just the start of our expansion plans in Bristol. The city is growing from strength to strength and attracting record visitor numbers however there remains a shortage for good quality and low cost accommodation in Bristol. To help fill this gap, we are actively looking for a further four hotel sites across the city. This expansion programme could represent a multi-million investment for third party investors, create over a hundred new jobs and offer our customers more choice of locations to stay in Bristol.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
