Generator Hostel has just completed the upgrade of its London branch, whilst managing to remain fully operational throughout the improvement project.
The design process began in October 2013, followed by a phased construction programme in November before the project’s completion in December.
The full upgrade of the hostel was implemented in order to comply with new brand standards. The upgrade was undertaken whilst the facility remained in operation so a detailed brief and design solution was compiled to facilitate the work.
Work began in the basement and moved upwards, sectioning areas off as the project progressed. The second phase involved the reworking of the public areas with a temporary reception installed and the bar and cafe moved. The rest of the works included renovating the bedroom levels which were tackled in floored phases. No major issues occurred during the works and the project team communicated with neighbours on a regular basis.
The hostel situated in Compton Place in Westminster is akin to a rabbit warren, according to Tarna, as it used to be an old police watch. The team therefore discovered a few drainage issues during the project and were able to address these as well as upgrading other additional facilities. The team remained within budget despite these additional upgrades.
The motivating factor behind the upgrade was to achieve a thirty per cent increase benefit in sound insulation as when this building was originally erected it was not built for a hostel purpose. One of Generator’s brand standards is to get a good night sleeps so the insulation works were to ensure their brand standards were realistic.
The main contractors on the London upgrade was County Contractors, the Generator team always choose a local contractor whenever they undertake renovation work. County Contractors are based in Weston-super-Mare and have built up a wealth of experience over their 35 year life span.
The Generator team are always expanding and improving the brand; they are currently in the construction phase on the Paris branch and in the design brief stage on the Rome branch. The brand want to expand the chain to Amsterdam, Vienna and New York soon and so are researching appropriate areas to base the hostels in.
