Express by Holiday Inn - Manchester

Project Brief

This statement, wedge-shaped building consists of 147 bedrooms which also feature a subterranean reception area, contemporary bar, meeting facilities and an impressive entrance lobby. Russells commenced the £l9m contract in January 2009 and Bell & Webster were awarded the contract to provide a suitable Fastbuild concrete solution.

Bell and Webster’s Solution

Bell and Webster were able to assist in the speed of programme using our precast concrete walls and aid with prefabricated bathroom pods. The hotel is bordered by Oxford Road, thought to be Europe's busiest bus route - Hulme Street and the River Medlock, and presented a number of challenges for the construction team which employed a variety of techniques to build on such a constrained site. the footprint of the building is triangular in shape with the base line along Oxford Rd and one side adjacent to the river. Bell & Webster used the tower crane that was located in the centre of the building for the erection, once the building was completed it was necessary over a single weekend to remove the crane from the building and then to in fill with precast floor slabs into the void left behind using a large crawler crane. Bell & Webster were able to offer Russells Construction engineering solutions with regard to structural design to overcome the lack of gables to give the building its structural integrity.

Key Issues

• Located opposite the BBC studios on Oxford Road, this is thought to be Europe’s busiest bus route which presented a number of challenges
• No Storage facilities were available and the provided off load area was located in a very busy business location

Express by Holiday Inn / Reference: G7375
Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 5QA

Main Contractor:
Russells Construction
13 Westpoint Enterprise Park
Clarence Avenue
Trafford Park
Manchester, M17 1QS

Architect:
McCormick Architecture
Dairy Farm Buildings
Saighton
Chester, CH3 6EG

Structural Engineers:
The Brazier Holt Partnership Ltd
4 Elm Court
Arden Street
Stratford upon Avon
Warwickshire, CV37 6PA

Completed: 6th November 2009
Duration of Project: 14 Weeks
Number of Rooms/Units: 848