Located at Fistral Beach, Newquay, The Headland is an award-winning four-star hotel which overlooks the stunning surrounds of Cornwall.
The family-owned hotel comprises a mix of 96 rooms and suites, a collection of 39 five-star self-catering cottages and an excellent restaurant serving fresh, locally sourced produce via a creative array of delicious dishes.
In addition to providing guests with the perfect ways to eat and rest, The Headland also has a strong selection of leisure facilities, including a golf course and the recently created health suite which includes an indoor swimming pool and spa complex.
The health suite was built in two phases, with Phase One of the project comprising the construction of the new swimming pool, changing rooms, a sauna, a steam room and a Jacuzzi. Work on the first phase commenced in September 2011 and reached completion in June 2012.
Phase Two comprised the construction of seven spa treatment rooms, a reception area and a hair and beauty room. The second phase began in October 2012 and reached completion in December 2013. The hotel remained open throughout the work on both phases.
Chartered architects, Lilly Lewarne Practice (LLP) were contracted to provide the design and oversee the new leisure facilities at The Headland, whilst J E Stacey & Co was appointed as the main contractor on the scheme. LLP is an established Cornwall practice providing clients with a fully comprehensive service, whilst J E Stacey & Co is a privately-owned independent building and civil engineering company delivering full design and build services.
LLP first started working with The Headland in 2010, taking over from a practice which had previously provided the hotel with architectural services.
Speaking to Premier Construction about the project, James Moran, Director of LLP, said:
“The hotel had previously employed a different architectural practice for all their work, however when it came time for the architect to retire we were taken on by the hotel in order to take on all future works. There were plans in place for a new spa as well as a number of other facilities including a conference centre, tennis courts and parking spaces. Our first task was to take a look at the first couple of phases which focused on the health spa and the client requested that we look at wholesale redesign of that element of the approved scheme, making better use of redundant space and reorganising the internal layout, as well as incorporating a new standalone spa entrance and external terrace. This required obtaining a number of new Planning and Listed Building consents within a very short period, prior to the main contract being let.
“The project involved creating a new basement-level extension to the front of the building and the installation of rooms to provide the new health suite. As the hotel remained open throughout the construction programme, we had to ensure as little disruption to guests as possible, so a large amount of the work was conducted by hand.
“There was a great deal of structural works undertaken at the lower ground floor level, so a number of engineering interventions were implemented in order to ensure the hotel could remain operational at all times. J E Stacy & Co were very flexible in their approach to the work and they planned the programme accordingly. J E Stacy & Co knew exactly when they needed to conduct the more disruptive work and throughout the entire project they liaised with hotel management to keep the works as low key as possible.”
The new swimming pool includes jet stream and bubble seats and has been such a successful addition to the hotel that it has picked up a couple of awards, including an accolade at this year’s South West LABC Awards. The new leisure facilities were awarded Best Small Commercial Building, for building excellence in the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship and are a fantastic addition to the hotel.
The project marked the first time that LLP had been involved with the LABC, so was understandably a proud moment for James and his colleagues.
James said:
“As a practice we have been partnered with the LABC for the past 15 years and have developed a very good relationship with the organisation, but this project was one of the first projects that we ever put forward for an award. We have a liaison officer who checks our projects ahead of their submission with the LABC, which means we can receive some guidance throughout the process. Winning an award such as this is great as it helps to raise the profile of the practice and at the same time reinforces the relationship that we’ve developed with the LABC.”
For more information about The Headland, or to make a booking, please visit: www.headlandhotel.co.uk.
