BACKGROUND.
Following an announcement that LHM UK would be rolling out a multi-million pound refurbishment programme across its portfolio of Holiday Inn hotels, CIC won the tender for the Brentwood site, against tough opposition. Key to the refurbishment was the development of an ‘open lobby,’ a policy which was being rolled out across all Holiday Inns, in a bid to create a cohesive space for guests to eat, drink, work and meet. The refurbishment would also include the creation of a Marco Pierre White restaurant.
KEY INFO.
Location: Holiday Inn Brentwood
Client: LHM UK( Lapithus Hotel Management)
Timescale: 3 months
Value: £500k
PROJECT IMAGES.
KEY OBJECTIVES.
- Create an open plan lobby area
- Bring the franchisees and designer’s refurbishment plans to life
- Keep guest disruption to a minimum
KEY RESULTS.
- Reinforced CIC’s ability to work with a franchise and assist them in resolving any unforeseen build complications
- Work completed while the site remained open – with little impact on guests
- Created an open plan, welcoming space, in keeping with Holiday Inn’s vision
THE REFURBISHMENT.
As opposed to working with an independent hotel or restaurant, the work carried out on the Holiday Inn, Brentwood, is testament to CIC’s ability to support a franchise and work with outside contractors and designers. Throughout the entire process the hotel remained open. The new open lobby merged together traditionally separate areas, a reception, lounge bar and restaurant to create one multi-faceted area. During this process of creating the open space, CIC resolved unforeseen issues relating to structural work in collaboration with a local structural engineer. Despite the challenges, CIC was able to turn the situation around quickly, and the area is now a success.
The original servery was demolished to form the Marco Pierre White restaurant, while CIC carried out joinery work to create a new, bespoke bar in the centre of the atrium. Sectioning off areas by installing screens in phases to minimise disruption, CIC, working closely with the designers and management throughout the entire process. Works included the creation of new reception pods, decoration, electrical works and the installation of a mixture of flooring throughout. To meet the challenging time frame stipulated by the client the team worked tirelessly throughout the entire refurbishment process.