Hilton Bankside
London
THE DETAILS
Client: Splendid Hospitality Group
Architect: Dexter Moren
Designer: Twenty2 Degrees
QS: Greenway Associates
Area: 22,000m2
Completed: 2015
Awards: Europe’s Leading Business Hotel 2018
Although Greenway Associates often work with independent hotel brands, we jumped at the opportunity to work with the internationally renowned Hilton brand. The Hilton London Bankside represents the next generation of design-led Hilton Hotels, of which we were proud to be a part of.
OUR ROLE
Greenway Associates were appointed as the Quantity Surveyors for the Hilton London Bankside hotel. Mark Greenway was our key team member on this project. In this case, working with a smaller firm meant a greater level of client care for Hilton’s exciting new venture.
THE PROJECT
Hilton Bankside is situated about a five-minute walk from Shakespeare's Globe, the Millenium Bridge, and the Tate Modern art gallery on London's South Bank. Designed by Dexter Moren Associates, working with Twenty2Degrees, the property’s unique structure comprises tall and low-rise buildings, with layers of glass, bronzed metal and brick incorporated into the building. A four level glass atrium at the hotel entrance completes the sleek exterior. The Hotel offers 292 guest rooms including a 100m2 Presidential Suite and 20 other suites with different configurations. Amenities include 3 different food outlets, an all day restaurant, bar, cafe an executive lounge and a fitness centre with an indoor swimming pool and spa. The hotel also features an opulent ballroom with capacity for 700 guests and 8 meeting rooms.
Greenway Associates undertook cost planning at RIBA Stage 3: Developed Design. The project had previously commenced with a different Client structure but halted at the substructure stage. The project was put on hold for approximately two years and a new project team was assembled. Construction Management was utilised, using JCT CM 2011 both for the appointment of the construction manager and for all trade contracts. Two full model rooms were fully fabricated off site to demonstrate trade contractor capabilities and maintain quality control.
PROJECT CHALLENGES & ACHIEVEMENTS
Building movement. Given the extended period that this project had remained dormant, there was considerable concern that the basement slab had risen during this period because of upward pressure from the high water table. As a result, there might be renewed settlement once the basement slab was loaded with the new structure. This could potentially damage the frame, alter critical dimensions of the external elevations and distort/crack the new curtain walling system. Therefore extensive site monitoring was undertaken and, once each level of the new structure was completed, floors were loaded out with dense building materials ahead of schedule to accelerate any settlement.
Envelope contractor insolvency. The building envelope comprised multiple cladding systems complete with fenestration. Unfortunately the envelope contractor went into liquidation. At this point, the benefits of the construction management procurement route became evident. The team were able to engage directly with all the envelope contractor’s subcontractors with minimum disruption. The design warranty on the cladding systems was successfully organised. We were all able to call on the performance bond and recover costs. The bank providing the funding and the bank’s monitor were reassured.
Specification uplift. The change of ownership during the life of this project also led to a change of vision for the brand and its associated interior design. There was a significant upgrade to the design specification. This was costed and programmed, the client fully informed and the budget uplift approved.
Hilton Bankside was developed on a tight central London site with high traffic and congestion with zero incidents. At completion, after a 26 month programme, the finished product stands as one of the top hotels in London and in the Hilton portfolio.
HOTEL COMPLETED IN 2015
TAKE A QUICK TOUR
WHAT OUR CLIENT HAD TO SAY
“Getting the right team and the right advice for Hilton Bankside was the single most important part of this whole development. And we did get it right.
Clear reporting gives a bank the measure of comfort it needs, so when a QS report is consistent and reliable, it helps to strengthen the human relationship between the client and the bank. That’s where the magic is.
”