Award-winning company appointed main contractor for major redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Wales Leading construction and fit-out company Gilbert-Ash has been appointed main contractor for the £38million redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Mold, North Wales. The construction, which is planned for completion in late 2024, aims to set a high
Mollie’s bedrooms feature Conran furniture and lighting, oak lined walls, terrazzo tiles and chrome finishes. Indulgent cotton sheets and handcrafted Hypnos mattresses deliver a restful night’s sleep. Bathrooms are fitted with powerful rain showers, luxurious Cowshed products, fluffy towels and the latest Dyson and GHD hair appliances. The Mollie’s app
Construction specialists Urban Group (York) Ltd has completed a six-figure project on Darlington covered market, transforming facilities for the traders and visitors alike. Phase Two of planned works to the iconic Victorian market, situated between High Row and Horse Market, started in August 2022 and has just completed. This transformational
Colchester-based chartered surveyors Whybrow, which operates under the Beresfords property group umbrella, is on the development team on the Colchester Northern Gateway Leisure Park. Its dedicated team of chartered surveyors is advising its client, Turnstone Estate, with commercial needs throughout the construction of the 200,000 sq. ft. Northern Gateway Leisure
Everton Stadium is set to enter a transformative phase in 2023, with work ramping up on the internal works. As the external appearance continues to develop, the race is on to make the build watertight to allow tradesmen to begin work in installing hundreds of miles of piping, wiring and
The transformation of a former post office in Warrington town centre into a luxury aparthotel has been completed with an investment of approximately £2.5million. The contracting arm of Leeds-based Priestley Group, Priestley Construction, has delivered the project on Palmyra Square through its North West Office for clients Deuce Hotels. Beginning
A 100-tonne bridge deck is being constructed at Everton Stadium to assist with site logistics and provide a vital link to the scenic western wharf in the final scheme. The concrete bridge in the north west corner, which will eventually provide part of the route for the team coaches arriving
Global modular building specialist, Volumetric Building Companies, which has recently announced its expansion in the UK, has completed a major offsite contract for citizenM’s latest hotel in London. Working with main contractor Gilbert Ash, VBC manufactured and fitted out 226 hotel bedrooms offsite for the new citizenM London Victoria Station,
Hollaway Studio has designed a pioneering inland surfing lagoon creating Kent’s first surfing “wave garden”, alongside a 120-bed luxury spa hotel on land at former colliery, Betteshanger Country Park, near Deal SE England. Subject to planning approval in early 2023, the combined £50 million project, known as The Seahive, is
Award-winning company appointed main contractor for major redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Wales Leading construction and fit-out company Gilbert-Ash has been appointed main contractor for the £38million redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Mold, North Wales. The construction, which is planned for completion in late 2024, aims to set a high bar in delivering a stand-out cultural space with zero carbon emissions. It also sees Gilbert-Ash reunite on a theatre project with architects Haworth Tompkins and Project Directors Plann. Gilbert-Ash was the main contractor in 2014 when Haworth Tompkins won the Stirling Prize for the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. The Theatr Clwyd project includes the major refurbishment of the existing theatre which will see the 1970s building being stripped right back to its shell. In addition, there will be a new build construction of a timber foyer extension to the front and carpentry workshop to the rear. Works also include new MEP systems, windows, roof coverings and theatre technical systems. Once complete, the building, which was originally designed as a TV production space and theatre, will provide multiple platforms for performance, music and community use. Every effort has been made to minimise the building’s carbon footprint during the redevelopment while several design elements have been included with the aim of meeting a whole life zero carbon target for the new building. These include the reconfigured foyer and sun shading canopy being made from larch and reused steel, while existing space will be upgraded and insulated to allow the theatre to run on 100% renewable electricity via air sourced heat pumps and LED lighting. There will also be a programme of tree planting green walls, roof planting and the widespread use of PVs. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, said the company was delighted to be once again working on a project which has been designed by Haworth Tompkins. He said: “This is a truly exciting project, and we are looking forward to working closely with Haworth Tompkins and our Client, Flintshire County Council and Theatr Clwyd Trust in making these ambitious designs a reality. “I believe this will be another stand-out project in our portfolio and one which could have the power to make people re-think how cultural spaces are constructed in the future. “This will be a building which will serve as a real hub for the performing arts in this region and one which, through its intelligent design, will have only a minimal impact on the environment. “Annually, the theatre attracts over 200,000 paying visitors and plays an important role in the community with its outreach programmes. The redevelopment will enhance the experience for all visitors and provide a significant economic impact in the region. Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. Sustainability is a key focus for Gilbert-Ash with a number of initiatives underway to help the company to drive down its carbon footprint. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mollie’s bedrooms feature Conran furniture and lighting, oak lined walls, terrazzo tiles and chrome finishes. Indulgent cotton sheets and handcrafted Hypnos mattresses deliver a restful night’s sleep. Bathrooms are fitted with powerful rain showers, luxurious Cowshed products, fluffy towels and the latest Dyson and GHD hair appliances. The Mollie’s app opens a raft of benefits for an enhanced guest experience, including free access to the hotel’s on-site Electric Vehicle high-speed charging bays, and Mollie’s Diner is a modern all-day hang-out serving up contemporary, seasonal cooking for solo travellers or families, friends and lovers. With a setting that hints at a classic diner style, but reinvented with elegant vintage inspired lighting, sleek tiling, comfortable banquettes, warm wood and chrome fittings and lots of natural light, Mollie’s has guests covered. Guest-focused Technology The whole customer journey has been carefully thought through, with an effortless, digital-led experience that simplifies the entire guest journey and stay. The Mollie’s app opens a raft of benefits for an enhanced guest experience. Guests can check in online or via the app and have their room key delivered to their phone wherever they are and when it’s convenient for them. Electric Vehicle charging bays can be pre-booked, free-of-charge, before arrival and there’s 24-hour online chat support with the friendly reception team, in multiple languages. In-room, 50-inch Smart TVs come as standard. Guests’ phones automatically pair with the TV as a remote, casting their personal Netflix or Spotify account directly to the screen and syncing with the super-fast complimentary Wi-Fi, for the ultimate and seamless relaxing at-home experience. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction specialists Urban Group (York) Ltd has completed a six-figure project on Darlington covered market, transforming facilities for the traders and visitors alike. Phase Two of planned works to the iconic Victorian market, situated between High Row and Horse Market, started in August 2022 and has just completed. This transformational project is part of a successful masterplan from operators Market Asset Management Darlington Ltd and Darlington Borough Council for the venue to grow as a food, retail, and live entertainment destination. Urban’s Interiors Division has renovated the shop front fascia and entrances, added a new shop floor café, new public and trader toilets on the ground floor and new toilets to the basement of the market, which remained open throughout the revamp. The work has also incorporated a full renovation of the abandoned basement which has been transformed to create a Prohibition-themed bar and live music venue named The Vault, which is due to open as early as Spring 2023. Darlington town centre has been home to a covered market since May, 1864, where the very first purchase recorded was leg of mutton bought by the local landlord. Over 150 years later the covered market is still proving to be a popular with shoppers, with the recent renovations ensuring it is ready to become a key regional destination providing a wide range of retail, food and leisure facilities. Urban Interiors’ Operations Director, Kevin Keogh said: “This has been a fascinating job for the team. When we were stripping and repurposing the basement for the 1920s themed bar, we uncovered the old cells from the former police station that used to be on the site. He added: “We wanted to try and maintain as much of the heritage as possible with exposed metalworks still evident as part of the interior, and we’ve incorporated elements such as the old banana racks that were used to allow the imported fruit to ripen that had been left behind by traders from the 1960s.” MAM’s Darlington General Manager, Michael Harvey said: “The Phase 2 development is already having a positive impact and it has been great working with Urban Group (York) who have managed to keep disruption to traders and customers to a minimum while carrying out such a transformational scheme as part of MAM’s commitment that Darlington Market is a place where people love to shop, eat and drink and enjoy entertainment.” Councillor Jamie Bartch, cabinet member for economy for Darlington Borough Council, said: “The market is rightly considered one of Darlington’s jewels and the work that has been carried out by Urban means that it shines brightly once again. I hope people take the time to visit and see for themselves the improvements that have been made and support the established traders and the new food and drink outlets. The Vault, in the cellar, is an amazing transformation of an unused space. “The aim has always been to bring the market up to modern standards, while retaining its traditional charms, and I think the work carried out by MAM and Urban has achieved that.” As part of the contract, five new jobs were created in the Darlington area and, wherever possible, Urban used local sub-contractors and suppliers for the works. The next chapter comes amid exciting times for the market and follows the successful first phase of the revamp which opened to the public in August 2021. It saw one third of the shop floor transformed into a street food scene with independent food traders offering cuisine from around the world from purpose-built units and a large communal seating area. There is also the Market Tap bar and an events stage. As well as its amazing global cuisine and independent retail offering continues to shine as an events venue. Popular events have ranged from hosting the North East final of the prestigious Young Traders Market to its much-loved Pease Pudding events on the first Thursday of the month in Darlington Market Square. It also regularly welcomes charities and hosts the hugely popular Food and Drink Festival each year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Colchester-based chartered surveyors Whybrow, which operates under the Beresfords property group umbrella, is on the development team on the Colchester Northern Gateway Leisure Park. Its dedicated team of chartered surveyors is advising its client, Turnstone Estate, with commercial needs throughout the construction of the 200,000 sq. ft. Northern Gateway Leisure Park, having acquired this ten-acre site next to the A12 from the Council. The leisure park, which is due to complete in Autumn 2023, will include a 12-screen cinema for Cine UK, 20-lane bowling alley for Hollywood Bowl, a Puttstars indoor golf centre and Jump Street indoor play park. As well as this it will have a 96-bed Travelodge, drive-thru restaurants for Greggs and Wendy’s, an EV charging station and a high-quality landscaped piazza with parking for 750 cars. “We’re delighted to be assisting on transforming the Northern Gateway into a hub, which is a key part of our commitment to boosting the economy of the Borough. The whole development and Northern Gateway area will also benefit from the construction of a carbon-cutting, District Heat Network at Colchester Northern Gateway to supply heat and hot water to the developments’ homes and businesses. A digital network will also provide ultra-fast broadband to local homes and businesses, as well as encouraging biodiversity through bio retention ponds and the planting of native trees,” said Ewan Dodds, chief executive officer of Whybrow. Terms have now also been agreed to let three of the restaurants, one to Kervan Kitchen and two others to a regional buffet operator (4,000 sq. Ft.) and one to a gelato and meat restaurant (3,200 sq. ft.) with terms out on several others. Practical completion is due in September 2023. “We are pleased that our expert team of chartered surveyors at Whybrow are working on this exciting project, to bring the very best results. Northern Gateway Leisure Park will have a great impact on the local community and beyond, and we look forward to seeing it complete next year,” added Paul Beresford, chief executive officer of Beresfords. Established in 1985, Whybrow has been dedicated to providing property consultancy to local, regional and national companies – particularly those with a presence in the South East and London – for nearly 40 years. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Everton Stadium is set to enter a transformative phase in 2023, with work ramping up on the internal works. As the external appearance continues to develop, the race is on to make the build watertight to allow tradesmen to begin work in installing hundreds of miles of piping, wiring and the internal fittings. “I think we should just warn spectators that in 2023 it will look like things are slowing down from an external perspective,” said Chief Stadium Development Officer Colin Chong. “A big milestone that people will want to see is the east stand steelwork that will fill in the gap between the north and south steelwork. “However, it will slow down externally, although internally it’s going to be a hive of activity. “In real terms, the fit-out is starting in January, when we will start putting all the wires and piping in. “People won’t notice it as much, as it’s internal, but it’s equally as important to the stadium development as the roof going up.” As with the external concrete and steel components, much of the internal walls are pre-manufactured in factory conditions and transported to site in just-in-time slots for installation. All mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems in the stadium will be manufactured off-site in the Oldbury (West Midlands) factory of Laing O’Rourke’s specialist MEP business, Crown House Manufacturing. The six-foot high modules and an innovative product called Techwall, will be delivered to site, lifted into place, connected and commissioned, in an approach that helps save time and energy. “There are life-safe systems, resilience to be planned, and all the toilets on the concourses will be coming in in modules, pre-manufactured,” explained Chong, in a special Club podcast on the stadium build. “The pipework will arrive pre-manufactured, tested in the factory, and be offered up and connected, so there are less connections throughout the whole building. There’s less welding, so less risk of fire and it’s the modern way of building things. “Again, we’ll be working on all four concourses simultaneously, along with the hospitality lounges starting, probably in March. “The skeleton of the dressing rooms is already in place (in the west stand). We’ve got the pit for the hydrotherapy pools and all the apertures for all the incoming services. “There are hundreds of miles of beer pythons that have to go in at some point and they’ll all start to go in next year. “We ramp up with people and we’ll end up with 1,000 people there next year and probably up to around 1,400 on site the year after. “There’s a whole host of things going to happen next year, but not a lot of people are going to notice it because it’s going to be hidden.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The transformation of a former post office in Warrington town centre into a luxury aparthotel has been completed with an investment of approximately £2.5million. The contracting arm of Leeds-based Priestley Group, Priestley Construction, has delivered the project on Palmyra Square through its North West Office for clients Deuce Hotels. Beginning in June 2021, the upper floors of the Grade II listed building have been transformed into 21 high-specification apartments for short-term rent. The new development has a luxury finish inside, including installation of high-tech entry systems which will enable hotel guests to enter the aparthotel using their smartphones. Whilst being modernised, the Warrington aparthotel has still retained many original features. The existing flooring has been built up to ensure acoustic separation. Like any project, there were issues to overcome. Bob Priestley, Head of Construction, explained “The after effects of the pandemic presented inevitable material delays that many have faced. Our delivery had to consider two existing tenants on the ground floor which were a bar and a restaurant. The team worked efficiently to overcome these hurdles and managed to complete the works in November. Providing a new hotel facility, this project will help encourage tourism in Warrington town centre by creating attractive places for people to stay. This will also bring more life to the town centre and therefore, a better environment for the community in Warrington. The Old Post Office Aparthotel is a seven-minute walk away from Warrington Bank Quay train station and is located within Palmyra Square where it benefits from the restaurants, venues and bars on offer, making it an ideal location to stay when visiting the town. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A 100-tonne bridge deck is being constructed at Everton Stadium to assist with site logistics and provide a vital link to the scenic western wharf in the final scheme. The concrete bridge in the north west corner, which will eventually provide part of the route for the team coaches arriving the stadium, is being put in place early into the build to assist with the flow of site traffic. It also serves as a conduit for the utilities and an array of cables, which will connect the outside broadcast compound on the yet-to-be-developed western wharf to all camera positions within the 52-888-seater stadium. And a change to the original design means the new bridge, which complements the existing isolation structure in the south west of the site, meets sustainability measures by improving the flow of water through neighbouring docks and helping to stimulate marine life. Gerald Knights, Structures Engineering Lead for Laing O’Rourke, explained: “The bridge is fundamental to the operation of the stadium. “It allows a one-way flow of traffic around the stadium, so vehicles can come in on the north side and leave via the south, or loop around the western wharf. “It’s also a conduit for all the utilities that come from the outside broadcast unit, which sits on the western wharf, and the bridge carries all of the electrical and communication cables into the stadium. “Originally, there was another type of structure designed in this location, which would have de-linked some of the water connectivity between the two adjacent docks. “We changed that and turned it on its head and built this structure which spans over the water now, and allows the marine life to repopulate the channel.” The bridge, sitting atop six concrete piles bored 16 metres underground, is made up of four precast concrete beams, each weighing around 28 tonnes and with a span of 15 metres. “That makes it quite a substantial structure, but one that is more cost-efficient and sustainable than the previous version that was on the table,” added Knights. “We are constructing it now because it becomes important for logistics. Once we have the utilities in and we have built the bridge deck, we will be able to start putting traffic on this bridge and it will give us the flexibility, later on, to be able to excavate out around 15,000 cubic metres of earthworks to create the new water channel and a new habitat for all the species that will move into this area. “We’re hoping to get it ready for use in January of next year, and then we should be able to see traffic on it not long after.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global modular building specialist, Volumetric Building Companies, which has recently announced its expansion in the UK, has completed a major offsite contract for citizenM’s latest hotel in London. Working with main contractor Gilbert Ash, VBC manufactured and fitted out 226 hotel bedrooms offsite for the new citizenM London Victoria Station, the brand’s fourth in the city. It was designed by architects Ica Studio and interior designers Concrete Interior Architects. The 10-storey steel-framed modular structure was installed on a steel podium in just eleven weeks, radically reducing time on site compared to in-situ construction. This is VBC’s seventh modular hotel worldwide for citizenM and follows its successful delivery of earlier projects in London Tower Hill, Shoreditch, Seattle, New York, Amsterdam, and more recently Washington DC. The offsite approach significantly reduced disruption to the surrounding residential area which is close to the Victoria Station transport hub. The fully finished hotel bedrooms and bathrooms were produced, fitted out and furnished at VBC’s European offsite manufacturing centre in Poland. Each room is designed to reflect citizenM’s signature brand with modern fixtures and fittings, and high specification in-room technology which controls climate, lighting, TV, and blackout blinds. These room features can also be controlled via citizenM’s award-winning app. citizenM’s Head of Project Management for Europe, Joao Fidalgo, commented, “There are two key drivers for offsite construction – it is faster, and quality is enhanced by manufacturing and fitting out our hotel rooms in a controlled factory environment. Our sites are generally located in city centres on very busy urban sites which makes getting materials and trades to site very difficult. Offsite construction overcomes this challenge.” “VBC has consistently delivered for citizenM, and this project was no exception. Delivery of the modules to site went smoothly, communications were excellent, and their site team performed very well. The quality of the hotel rooms is exactly as we expected.” Francesco Laera, Hotel Manager for citizenM London Victoria Station, said, “This 10-storey building has been delivered to a consistently high standard and the guest rooms are light and airy with a really good finish.” “Moving construction offsite and into a factory is a much cleaner way of working which reduces environmental impact and is ideal for a city centre location. I have lots of experience of the VBC team’s way of working and the speed of construction that can be achieved with their building solutions for citizenM is amazing. This scheme was delivered through the pandemic but was still much faster than on-site construction, allowing us to achieve revenue at an earlier stage.” Andy Smith, UK Director of VBC, said, “This project is part of a longstanding strategic partnership between citizenM and VBC, and we were delighted to collaborate with their team once again. The finished building is a credit to everyone involved and is a fantastic addition to citizenM’s hotel portfolio in London. Their innovative approach to hospitality is transforming the industry.” “The London Victoria project demonstrates the huge potential of offsite construction as well as our market leading design and engineering capabilities in both the hotel and residential sectors. By taking an industrialised approach to construction, the build programme is reduced, ensuring a faster return on investment for the client. This is a great example of the sustainable development of a highly constrained city centre site that has enhanced the locality.” Ian Burleigh, Executive Chairman at Ica Studio said, “Utilising advanced offsite technology for the guest rooms has primarily formed the main façade, creating a grid-like appearance with the fully glazed windows. This design solution successfully illustrates that modular construction does not restrict the architectural appearance of a building in any way and is still sensitive to its context whilst delivering the unique concept of citizenM.” A total of 226 hotel bedrooms with corridors were delivered to site in 161 steel-framed modules, weighing up to 22 tonnes each. These were fully glazed with floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall glass at one end and installed with integrated automatic blinds and fritted glass to conceal the bed area. Each 14 sqm room has a bathroom with a rainfall shower and was supplied with factory fitted furniture – also manufactured by VBC – and including a vanity unit, desk, king size bed frame, hanging space, mirror, privacy blind, mood lighting, and iPad-controlled technology. There were two accessible rooms per floor, and five on the 10th floor. The modules were designed to stringent fire standards and to meet a high level of acoustic performance as the building is located on a major transport route through London. Access to the site was extremely limited, with restricted working times and no space for materials storage outside the building footprint. The module installation phase required careful logistical planning and a just-in-time approach for deliveries. A tower crane within the concrete core was used to install the units. Externally, the façade follows Georgian architectural principles of proportion, symmetry and balance and is articulated with regimented bays defined by deep vertical concrete fins which express the modular nature of the building’s construction. This, together with slim aluminium vertical fins to the 10th floor, give the hotel its distinctive brand identity whilst complementing neighbouring buildings in the Westminster Cathedral conservation area, one of which is listed. www.vbc.co Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hollaway Studio has designed a pioneering inland surfing lagoon creating Kent’s first surfing “wave garden”, alongside a 120-bed luxury spa hotel on land at former colliery, Betteshanger Country Park, near Deal SE England. Subject to planning approval in early 2023, the combined £50 million project, known as The Seahive, is scheduled to open in April 2025. Hollaway Studio, the award-winning architecture practice which has studios in both London and Kent, has created the designs for the 15-acre site which will feature a Wavegarden Cove technology surf lagoon at its centre, which would be the second of its kind in England and the seventh of its kind in the world following facilities in Melbourne, South Korea, Switzerland, Brazil, Wales and Bristol. The revolutionary Wavegarden Cove technology featured in the lagoon, which can be used by up to 80 people at a time, offers up to 1000 perfect waves per hour similar to those in the ocean. It can create more than 20 different wave types ranging from 50 cm to 2m in height, providing rides of up to 15 seconds long for all ages and abilities. Overlooking the surfing lagoon is the ‘Lagoon Surf Hub’ with 15 accommodation lodges; a wellness centre with yoga and fitness zones, cold water therapy, meditation pavilions and a splash pool; a clubhouse with a surf academy as well as a restaurant and bar; conference facility; retail outlet; chill out spaces; dedicated work area; and immersive balcony. A dedicated learning hive will run a full-time schedule of courses for children via surf therapy and educational intervention programmes to enhance and protect their mental health. In addition to the hub, there is a separate design for the destination 120-bed hotel, spa and gym. The inclusion of the hotel will work to readdress the lack of hotel rooms available in the surrounding area and welcome visitors from outside of the area. While Kent may have easy access to the sea, the inclusion of the surf lagoon at The Seahive is an exciting one as the local sea conditions are not suitable for surfing. The Seahive project is part of the Betteshanger Country Park’s wider plans to expand, reflected by the recent additions in 2022 of a Mining Museum, café and restaurant as well as cycling tracks and play areas. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
