Lengthy delays and tired travellers are a bad combination, so it stands to reason that constructing hotels near to an airport is a worthwhile solution. Gatwick Airport is certainly no exception and soon weary holiday makers will be sleeping easy in a brand new Premier Inn.
Grove Developments and Prudential are behind the latest development, which will see a new £30 million plus hotel on the horizon at the London based airport. Expected to be the world’s largest and tallest largest and tallest Premier Inn, the ten-storey development will cover an area of 22,000 sq m.
The metal-clad building is situated on top of a far park and when completed, it will provide 630 bedrooms along with all other features synonymous with the hotel chain. This will no doubt be welcome news for holiday makers and commuters alike, who will be eager to take advantage of a welcome place to stay should their flights become delayed.
Works began just after Easter 2011 and the project has an estimated time of arrival in late 2012.
The original design for the project was provided by Dexter Moren from Moren Gregory. It is also proving to be an exciting project for Grove Developments. Company Founder and CEO, Surinder Arora, said: “Unlike most Premier Inns which are made from a timber construction, the Premier Inn at Gatwick will be a more traditional build.”
As the hotel is being erected at the airport, the construction process has had to work around issues of security, including air traffic restrictions. Whilst this might be a nightmare scenario for some, the experienced team has managed to navigate the issues and the project continues to progress as planned.
Surinder Arora said: “The site did pose a few problems, just like with any other project, however Grove Developments are used to working on projects in and around the airport, so it hasn’t cause too many problems.”
Main contractors McAleer & Rushe will reteam with Grove Developments to build two further Premier Inns.
With landscaping and some groundwork to round off the exterior features of the hotel, the contemporary building should be a success when it lands.