Premier Inn - Leeds Headingley Hotel

Foundation/Frame/Envelope

The work required us to fully abate asbestos, strip the building back to its concrete frame, install new SFS and external rainscreen, and fit out the hotel to Whisdom Premier Inn standards, including the creation of a Thyme restaurant and kitchen.
 

Site Challenges

Delivered above a live retail centre and adjacent to occupied commercial offices, with businesses, shoppers, car park users, pedestrians and general road traffic to consider and protect, our dedicated site team worked closely with all stakeholders, including the Arndale’s Centre Management, to ensure the smooth and unobtrusive delivery of works. Noise levels were recorded on a daily basis via decibel readings, and monthly newsletter updates issued to ensure all parties were kept abreast of the project’s progress.
 
We overcame logistical challenges presented by the highly constrained nature of the site by hiring an adjacent, external area for use as a storage area, with a hoist and Haki staircase in place which transported materials (delivered on a pre-scheduled, just-in-time basis) and operatives up to an enclosed scaffold bridge connected to the roof of the building. Welfare facilities were located in an empty retail unit on the works site, and operatives were encouraged to vehicle share to maximise space and keep carbon emissions to a minimum.

Services

This building was designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’, which required a fabric-first approach.

Air source heat pump boilers generated hot water to serve the needs of the hotel in line with Whitbread’s target to achieve a 30% reduction in carbon emissions.
 
Our building services were designed to co-ordinate with the hotel operator’s commercial kitchen installation and we worked closely with the bar specialist to co-ordinate our works to accommodate their cellar requirements and beverage python routes.
 
The hotel featured LED lighting throughout as well as data infrastructure and a KABA electronic keycard system.
 

Environmental and Social Value

The new hotel created circa 45 jobs in the local area, and has provided to be a popular addition to Headingley, particularly due to its proximity to the Headingley Stadium.
 
During the project, we engaged with Leeds University to arrange for students from its structural engineering department to visit the site.
 
Throughout the works, we fenced off and protected an existing memorial tree that had been planted for Jacqueline Hill – the last known victim of Jack the Ripper - which was located within the staff car park. We also held a minute’s silence to pay tribute to Jacqueline’s memory on 17th November, which marked the 37th anniversary of her death.
 
Other goodwill gestures included the redecoration of the units that Clegg had used for welfare facilities during the scheme. Works undertaken comprised painting, re-plastering, and the installation of new, energy-efficient lighting. These units would go on to be used by charitable organisations in the area.