IHG, UK Portfolio Upgrade

Various, UK

Following the rebranding of Inter Continental Hotels Group, we were appointed as the MEP consultant on the upgrade of a number of properties in its UK portfolio, working across 3 of its hotel sub-brands.

Properties include buildings with listed status in a range of locations and conditions and our work includes MEP feasibility, design and construction duties and the provision of air conditioning to all guest rooms, front of house and common areas.

The AC systems upgrade had to align with hotel ‘room off’ phasing, to ensure that a minimum number of rooms were out of use for a minimum period of time to enable AC to be completed, commissioned and operational at the end of each phase of work.

Our MEP strategy has varied greatly due to the range of properties, their age and condition. In addition to the AC upgrade a number of challenges were faced on each property:

Glasgow Grand Central and Edinburgh George Street: our key challenges on these two properties were similar, involving routing of services to avoid impact on internal finishes and listed building status. Planning consent, Network Rail and listed building approval was required for locating AC condenser units at roof level.

Manchester: Our key challenges here related to routing of services to avoid impact on internal finishes, limited vertical risers and listed building status.

Leeds: This property required significant refurbishment and replacement of central plant items.

Oxford Thames: Upgrades were required throughout the property to the electrical infrastructure installation.