hotel
Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables unveil kittiwake hotel

Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables unveil kittiwake hotel

Renewable developers Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables have unveiled the first completed kittiwake nesting structures to support consented offshore wind farms. Global kittiwake population has been estimated to have fallen by around 40% since the 1970s, so the kittiwake hotels are vital to protect the species. The nests will be able

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Planning permission for £1bn landmark London hotel granted

Queensgate Investments and Rockwell secure planning permission for £1bn landmark London hotel  Queensgate Investments and Rockwell has now been given the green light by the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the redevelopment of the Kensington Forum, to provide a world-class hotel and serviced apartment scheme alongside 62 genuinely affordable homes and substantial public realm improvements.  Designed by world-renowned architects, SimpsonHaugh, the new scheme will replace the existing 906

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Ragged Edge Rebrands Qbic Hotel

While most affordable hotels are bland and impersonal, Qbic hotel celebrates individuality. Branding agency Ragged Edge partnered with Qbic to redefine their brand, creating a bold and distinctive platform with the power to bring their unique vision to life, all over Europe. A brand built to deliver an ambitious goal

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WAKEMANS COMPLETES £10MILLION SOLIHULL TRAVELODGE

As Travelodge continues its expansion across the Midlands, national property and construction consultancy Wakemans has completed work on the budget hotel chain’s latest development in Solihull. Wakemans acted as tenant’s agent on the £10million Solihull Travelodge, which has 82 rooms including SuperRooms, an on-site restaurant called the Bar Café and

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Construction Begins on Paddington Hotel

McAleer & Rushe has secured the contract for the new £82 million hotel and aparthotel development in Paddington, with construction work due to begin shortly. The new 620-room development is the final stage of the Paddington Basin Masterplan. The development will be built on an existing two-storey basement and feature

Read More »

Partnership to Bring ‘Green’ Initiatives to Hotel

Five-star lifestyle hotel Andaz London Liverpool Street, is launching a unique collaboration with world leading eco fashion duo VIN + OMI, to further the hotel’s sustainability efforts and support its vision to operate in an environmentally conscious way. This will be achieved through various creative initiatives to reuse and recycle

Read More »

Leicester Regeneration Scheme Achieves Key Milestones

Contractor Morgan Sindall has achieved a number of key construction milestones at a £50 million regeneration scheme in Leicester. Project Medius is a mixed-use development in Leicester city centre featuring two new hotels, 35,000 sq ft of space in a new five-storey office, a new public realm area called Great

Read More »

New Premier Inn Comes to East London

Premier Inn has been announced by Rockwell Property as the occupier of a new 400-bedroom hotel in Westferry, East London. Whitbread, Premier Inn’s parent company, will take a 30-year lease of the hotel and restaurant within the 30-storey mixed-use scheme which is at the gateway to Canary Wharf, next to

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Bicester Heritage Hotel Gets Green Light

Bicester Heritage’s ambition to become the number one leisure destination for automotive fans has moved into pole position with the granting of planning permission for a new hotel, designed by award-winning hotel architects and interior designers Dexter Moren Associates. Situated on a former RAF base in the heart of Motorsport

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 325 : Feb 2025

hotel

Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables unveil kittiwake hotel

Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables unveil kittiwake hotel

Renewable developers Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables have unveiled the first completed kittiwake nesting structures to support consented offshore wind farms. Global kittiwake population has been estimated to have fallen by around 40% since the 1970s, so the kittiwake hotels are vital to protect the species. The nests will be able to accommodate around 430 pairs of kittiwakes and will help preserve the species for years to come. A research programme was undertaken and an advisory group – which included representatives from Natural England, RSPB, East Suffolk Council and the Marine Management Organisation – was convened to improve success. Based on the expert advice, the nesting structure has been designed in a way that replicates the best conditions for nesting and factors in conditions such as aspect, the amount of sunshine and shelter, and the size of the nesting shelves within. Measures have also been taken to protect the nesting kittiwakes from predators – such as predator-proof fencing at the bottom to protect against mammals like foxes and an overhanging roof to protect against aerial predators. While kittiwakes are known to be tolerant of human activity, the artificial nests are sited well away from the town and active port at the outer harbour to minimise interaction with human activity and property. The construction of the nesting structure would not have been possible without invaluable support from Associated British Ports, Port of Lowestoft, on whose land the ‘hotel’ is built and J.Murphy & Sons who carried out the construction. The environment is important to both Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables and this development will help to compensate for the potential impacts on breeding black-legged kittiwakes in North Yorkshire by ensuring they have a safe nesting area. Separate to the nesting requirement, Vattenfall is also looking to support and work closely with the Lowestoft Kittiwake Partnership and has made a £50,000 a year funding commitment for five years. This will help the Partnership to engage with and provide advice and support for local business and residents living alongside nesting kittiwakes, as well as money for cleaning up after kittiwakes, installing safe preventative measures to protect buildings, and creating alternative nesting sites where kittiwakes won’t come into conflict with people in Lowestoft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Planning permission for £1bn landmark London hotel granted

Queensgate Investments and Rockwell secure planning permission for £1bn landmark London hotel  Queensgate Investments and Rockwell has now been given the green light by the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the redevelopment of the Kensington Forum, to provide a world-class hotel and serviced apartment scheme alongside 62 genuinely affordable homes and substantial public realm improvements.  Designed by world-renowned architects, SimpsonHaugh, the new scheme will replace the existing 906 room hotel with an exceptional high-quality development providing outstanding visitor accommodation for the future including restaurants, bars, health spa and conference facilities, vital to supporting London’s continued role as a world city and major global destination. Alongside the hotel will be a new, publicly accessible and sensitively designed 2,700sqm garden square, more than doubling the size of the existing green space, which will be the only publicly accessible green area within 1km of the site.  Kensington Forum is now set to deliver substantial public benefits for the local community through the creation of over 800 employment opportunities, in addition to 62 much-needed and genuinely affordable rented homes, worth £90m, for Londoners on low incomes: the capital’s first private development to deliver 100% genuinely affordable homes. Substantial contributions of almost £3 million will also be provided for public realm improvements to the area around Gloucester Road station, in addition to over £1 million to training initiatives to ensure jobs are created for the most in need. Despite the hospitality sector facing unprecedented challenges, this ambitious £1bn scheme, which is set to become one of London’s largest hotels, is perfectly placed to come forward as part of the capital’s recovery and is testament to the powerful role the sector is envisaged to play.  Approving the scheme, Deputy Mayor, Jules Pipe, commented: “There is desperate need for social housing across London… If we are to deliver affordable homes and other benefits for London, we must ensure we make the best use of land.”  “As well as improvements to the architectural quality, when compared to the existing building, the development includes a number of other significant benefits such as the addition of much-need affordable housing, a reconfigured public garden square, additional jobs, improved visitor accommodation and public realm improvements.”  Jason Kow, Founder and CEO of Queensgate Investments LLP commented: “Kensington Forum is an extraordinary scheme of exceptional quality, which will benefit both London and Londoners. The benefits of this redevelopment are substantial, and the new world-class hotel will establish a new benchmark for visitor accommodation in the capital that will doubtless become a landmark for the city.”   Donal Mulryan, Founder of Rockwell added: “We pride ourselves on the delivery of genuinely transformative schemes and Kensington Forum is further testament to that. Not only will this be one of the highest-quality buildings in the country, but redevelopment of the Kensington Forum will deliver a 300% increase in employment, 100% genuinely affordable Social Rented homes and a new public garden square. This development will benefit those who live, work and visit London for years to come.” 

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Appointment announced on high profile Sovereign Square development in Leeds

GMI confirms appointment as contractor on new 14-storey, 331 room hotel development on last remaining plot. GMI Construction Group has today announced that is been appointed by property management business Marrico as the contractor for the construction of a new 14-storey high, 331 room hotel development within the high profile Sovereign Square scheme in Leeds. Marrico have submitted a planning application for the new hotel development which sits on the last remaining plot. The scheme once complete will feature a high-profile frontage onto the popular Sovereign Square and offer short and long stay accommodation catering for both business and leisure guests.   It will include an on-site gym, meeting facilities, bar, restaurant and coffee shop fronting the square. It has been designed by Leeds-based architectural practice DLA Design, with the façade taking inspiration from the surrounding architecture and Leeds merchandising and textile history. The project will support around 190 construction jobs over the life of the project with the hotel creating 80 full-time jobs upon completion. Talking about the project GMI Divisional Managing Director Lee Powell said: “Sovereign Square is one of the most sought-after destinations within Leeds and an extremely high-profile development.  GMI are delighted to have been appointed by Marrico to deliver the final phase of this development and bring forward another high-quality hotel development.  This project serves as the 12th hotel project that GMI has been entrusted to deliver including 5 in the past 3 years and testament to the strength of our credentials in this growing sector” Also commenting Mark Barnes, partner at Marrico, said: “We are pleased to be able to share plans for a new hotel within the final remaining development site at Sovereign Square. The site is superbly located for hotel use from both business and visitors to the city being adjacent to the station, business core and the vibrant retail and leisure offer Leeds provides.”

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Ragged Edge Rebrands Qbic Hotel

While most affordable hotels are bland and impersonal, Qbic hotel celebrates individuality. Branding agency Ragged Edge partnered with Qbic to redefine their brand, creating a bold and distinctive platform with the power to bring their unique vision to life, all over Europe. A brand built to deliver an ambitious goal “Qbic was already doing something remarkable. Our London and Amsterdam hotels were the greenest in their respective cities,” says Julie Fawcett, Managing Director, Qbic Hotels. “But to achieve our ambitions, we knew we needed to build a rich, meaningful brand with the power to drive the whole business.” Welcome Character Ragged Edge helped create a strategic platform that could inform every part of the Qbic hotel experience, internally and externally. “We wanted to take Qbic’s desire to do good, and amplify it into something bigger and more emotional” says Max Ottignon, Co-founder, Ragged Edge. “This led us to ‘Welcome Character’, a brand idea that’s as distinct in the category as it is relevant to guests who want to be treated as individuals, not room numbers.” An identity that celebrates individuality The new visual identity is inspired by the hotel’s physical layout, and the coming together of different people and ideas. And the tone of voice celebrates guests’ quirks and eccentricities: weird is welcome. Introducing Motley While Qbic’s rooms are for overnight guests, the shared space is for everyone. So Ragged Edge and Qbic created a sub-brand with its own distinct character: Motley is a place for locals and guests to come together to eat, drink, work or play. Spreading good character The brand gave Qbic the platform to relaunch its London and Amsterdam hotels, followed by imminent new openings in Brussels, Manchester and beyond. “The result is so much more than a visual identity,” Julie explains, “it’s a platform that enables us to bring our unique character to new cities, and new people, all over Europe.”

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WAKEMANS COMPLETES £10MILLION SOLIHULL TRAVELODGE

As Travelodge continues its expansion across the Midlands, national property and construction consultancy Wakemans has completed work on the budget hotel chain’s latest development in Solihull. Wakemans acted as tenant’s agent on the £10million Solihull Travelodge, which has 82 rooms including SuperRooms, an on-site restaurant called the Bar Café and free car parking. The new Solihull hotel joins the Birmingham Central Bull Ring Travelodge in offering SuperRooms, the company’s increasingly popular room designed around the ‘premium economy’ concept familiar to airline users. This new class of room is the first of its kind in the UK budget hotel market and enhances the comfort factor for business and leisure customers who want the extra choice of a more premium room. In a central location, the Solihull Travelodge is a few minutes’ walk from the railway station and close to local amenities, including two shopping centres and a cinema as well as bars and restaurants. It is also a short drive from Birmingham Airport. Wakemans Divisional Director Nigel Himpson said: “We’re delighted to support Travelodge in implementing its strategic growth plans in the West Midlands. As the region’s economy grows and Solihull, in particular, benefits from rising visitor numbers, this new hotel meets the need for good quality, affordable accommodation.” Travelodge operates 25 hotels across the West Midlands and Wakemans also played a key role in the development of its Dudley Town Centre, West Bromwich and Walsall properties.

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Construction Begins on Paddington Hotel

McAleer & Rushe has secured the contract for the new £82 million hotel and aparthotel development in Paddington, with construction work due to begin shortly. The new 620-room development is the final stage of the Paddington Basin Masterplan. The development will be built on an existing two-storey basement and feature a 373-bed Premier Inn and a 247-bed Staycity aparthotel across 19 floors. The development will also deliver 27,000 square feet of social and community floorspace. “We are looking forward to working as development partners with Concierge 3 and all shareholders in delivering this exciting project within the wider Paddington regeneration masterplan. Our experience in delivering high quality mixed-use buildings will ensure this project is a real success and is currently our second major development in Paddington Basin,” said Emmett McGinley, Commercial Director, McAleer & Rushe Contracts UK. Led by developer Concierge 3, a consortium of BSW Land & Property, Staycity and The Pickstock Group, the scheme is the final stage of the Paddington Basin Masterplan and part of a wider investment which has seen new offices, shops, homes and leisure facilities being built over the last number of years revitalising this unique location. The new hotel-aparthotel hybrid will open its doors in late Summer 2021.

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Partnership to Bring ‘Green’ Initiatives to Hotel

Five-star lifestyle hotel Andaz London Liverpool Street, is launching a unique collaboration with world leading eco fashion duo VIN + OMI, to further the hotel’s sustainability efforts and support its vision to operate in an environmentally conscious way. This will be achieved through various creative initiatives to reuse and recycle waste. VIN + OMI are well known for their innovative approach to eco-fashion and have received international acclaim for their sustainable practices and circular social impact projects. Their clothing is regularly seen on global icons and influencers such as Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga and Beyonce. They have been working with Andaz London Liverpool Street since 2016 and have hosted a number of their eco fashion shows at the hotel. ”We are proud to have a long term relationship with the Andaz London. Choosing a partner venue for our shows is a carefully thought out process. The Andaz’s creative and eco approach makes them a perfect partner” said VIN+OMI. Over the last couple of years, Andaz London Liverpool Street has been active in making daily changes to operational procedures, from energy saving practices to the elimination of plastic and the reduction of food waste, transitioning to more sustainable processes and biodegradable alternatives. In 2018, Andaz London Liverpool Street was also awarded for its efforts by the Association of Energy Engineers for their Monitor & Save project. This was achieved on the back of their Western Europe Region Energy Project, which kicked off in 2016 and, within a year, saved 21% of electricity and 27.1% of gas consumption. 2019 will see the implementation of a number of environmentally-conscious procedures and the hotel will encourage guests and staff to become more aware and sustainable. The collaboration with VIN + OMI is another step to introduce a ‘green’ mindset all around. “We love VIN+OMI’s passion for sustainability and the incredible creativity they bring to address environmental issues. We feel they are the perfect partner to support the hotel in its mission to become more sustainable. Through this collaboration, we aim to raise more awareness of the issue and educate our team and guests in reducing waste, focusing on small steps every day across all areas of the business,” said Amanda Richter, Director of Food & Beverage at Andaz London Liverpool Street.

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Leicester Regeneration Scheme Achieves Key Milestones

Contractor Morgan Sindall has achieved a number of key construction milestones at a £50 million regeneration scheme in Leicester. Project Medius is a mixed-use development in Leicester city centre featuring two new hotels, 35,000 sq ft of space in a new five-storey office, a new public realm area called Great Central Square and a major highways and traffic management scheme. “We’re incredibly pleased to reach this important milestone as we move ever closer to delivering this exciting project for the people of Leicester. Project Medius is set to play a central role in revitalising this area of the city. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with everyone involved over the coming months as we deliver this once in a generation scheme,” said Richard Frape, Project Director at Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure. The milestones include the completion of the concrete frame on the 10-storey Novotel hotel, with work on the outside façade cladding and internal fit out of the hotel underway. Internal fit out works are also progressing on the office block. The hotel will offer 154 bedrooms when complete, including executive rooms and suites, a gym, banqueting facilities, meeting rooms and a ground floor feature bar and restaurant. In addition, the Charles Street Buildings (CSB) development will also feature the six-storey Aparthotel Adagio hotel. “The progress that has been in made in constructing two new hotels, a new office block and new public realm in Leicester City Centre is very pleasing. Our ambitious regeneration plans, along with those of Leicester City Council, in this area are now having an impact on Leicester’s sky line and street scene,” said Joseph Murphy, Director, at CSB. “Completion of superstructure works for the Novotel and Adagio marks the next phase of tangible delivery of this transformative development and starts the countdown to the arrival of exciting new hotels, along with work and leisure facilities at No1 Great Central Square and Leicester Central,” he added. The scheme aims to help create an attractive new gateway to link the city centre to the Waterside area. Construction work is expected to be complete by the end of 2019.

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New Premier Inn Comes to East London

Premier Inn has been announced by Rockwell Property as the occupier of a new 400-bedroom hotel in Westferry, East London. Whitbread, Premier Inn’s parent company, will take a 30-year lease of the hotel and restaurant within the 30-storey mixed-use scheme which is at the gateway to Canary Wharf, next to Westferry DLR station. “I’m delighted that Rockwell have secured Premier Inn as the operator for our new hotel-led development at the Westferry gateway to Canary Wharf. Premier Inn’s emphasis on being a force for good aligns perfectly with our aspiration to deliver exceptional schemes which make a positive and lasting difference. It is an exciting time for Rockwell and this agreement further expands our growing hotel portfolio as well as illustrating our proven track-record. The desirability of this scheme is a testament to Rockwell’s expertise. We are eager not only to deliver it to our high standards but to continue building upon this with similar projects in the future,” commented Donal Mulryan, Founder of Rockwell. The development includes private and affordable residential accommodation, community space, and retail units, as well as a ground floor Whitbread-branded restaurant all set in a landscaped public realm. Rockwell Property was granted planning permission on the site by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in October. On completion, the hotel will be the tallest Premier Inn in the UK and Whitbread’s largest hotel in London (outside of airport hotels). Construction work is due to commence in summer 2019.

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Bicester Heritage Hotel Gets Green Light

Bicester Heritage’s ambition to become the number one leisure destination for automotive fans has moved into pole position with the granting of planning permission for a new hotel, designed by award-winning hotel architects and interior designers Dexter Moren Associates. Situated on a former RAF base in the heart of Motorsport Valley, a stone’s throw from numerous Formula One teams and the Silverstone Circuit, the approved scheme will feature a 252-room hotel, 92-unit aparthotel, restaurant, leisure facilities and conference centre. The hotel design, granted unanimous approval by Cherwell District Council last week, is inspired by RAF Bicester’s rich heritage, offering a modern interpretation of the form of adjoining listed hangars and featuring a signature entrance atrium designed around the display of classic motor vehicles. “We were thrilled to be selected to design this landmark hotel within the former RAF base, forming part of the Bicester Heritage Masterplan vision focusing on motorcars and aeroplanes. The design objective has been to respond in a contemporary manner to the site’s unique past, drawing inspiration from its historic position at the forefront of aviation, engineering, and innovation while complementing the existing period buildings. The elevations take inspiration from the listed aircraft hangers within Bicester Heritage, whilst the metal-clad curved façade references the sinuous line of a classic car,” said Dexter Moren Associates. “Providing 344 hotel and aparthotel rooms, and with extensive facilities including food and beverage, leisure and conferencing, this new hotel will contribute to the greater Bicester and Oxford area hospitality offer while enhancing the activities of Bicester Heritage and its future plans for accommodation, theatre, automotive research and maintenance,” Dexter Moren Associated added. Dexter Moren Associates is an award-winning practice of 70 architecture and interior design specialists, working right across the hospitality spectrum. Over the past 26 years in business we have established a world-renowned reputation as leaders in hospitality design, based on our ability to deliver intelligent, creative and bespoke solutions which meld both developer and operator requirements.

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