The project was initiated by the Speke Development Corporation who in 1997 invited bids for the complete regeneration of the former 1930s art deco Speke Airport terminal and two flanking hangars which had been redundant since 1966. The team chosen to transform the buildings was led by Neptune Developments who demonstrated the viability of their proposals and the expertise to deliver the projects.  
   

The design team comprised architects Falconer Chester, interior designers The Ransley Group, and contractors Balfour Beatty. Hangar 1 now houses a David Lloyd Leisure centre providing full leisure and spa facilities for hotel guests and local companies and residents. Hangar 2 is being marketed for a range of uses. The former terminal houses the 124 bed Marriott South hotel serving conference, leisure and business visitors.

 
     

 


Heavy investment
Neptune invested heavily in the £15.7 million regeneration of the hotel and the £35 million full-site project has removed a major blot on the landscape on one of the main arterial routes into the city. Grants were secured from the Northwest Development Agency and matched by Objective One and the 4 star hotel was developed, along with further investment from Whitbread Hotel Company. Neptune remains committed to the plan and retains an 80% share in the hotel, the most owned by any private partner. Whitbread Hotel Company, which has entered into a six year management contract to operate the hotel for Neptune holds the remaining 20%.
   
The original Grade II listed terminal building is attributed to Sir A Cobham with Sir J. Burnett and Partners and completed in 1939. It consisted of a central tower with two flanking convex wings facing the runway and an entrance facing Speke Boulevard. To produce sufficient bedrooms the architects and designers conceived two new convex wings linking via the original drum staircases.

 
 
The hotel exterior showing the new wings on either side of the entrance.
 

 

 

The wings were designed in a complementary style to the original terminal and received the support of both the Planning Authority and English Heritage despite partially concealing the existing wings. The interior of the hotel required a number of innovative structural interventions to provide the larger spaces for function and conference facilities, which included a 30m height truss.

Structural additions
Marriott introduced an extra floor of accommodation midway through the contract period, necessitating a lightweight steel structure which was incorporated by Balfour Beatty into the construction programme. An extension of time at 10 weeks and an agreed cost of £1.8 million was granted to accommodate the extensive additional works.

 
 
     
 
Interior designers, The Ransley Group were mindful that the Art Deco roots and unique aviation heritage of the building were intrinsic elements which would form the foundation of their conceptual approach. As with all their projects they have paid great attention to detail, working closely with suppliers to produce many bespoke elements. They have created a wealth of unusual features such as the 3D globe which recreates the flight paths of the former airport. This forms the entrance to the Starways restaurant which takes its name from one of the first company's operating charter flights.
     
 
     
 

Though the grade II listed building has been restored to its former glory the hotel also contrives to offer futuristic facilities, including nine specially-built conference rooms - which can accommodate up to 250 delegates - with natural daylight, air-conditioning and data points in each. The executive floor houses a further three boardrooms which can also seat up to 10 delegates for the smaller meetings.

The hotel was awarded practical completion on the 4th May 2001 and is now fully operation with a significant number of advance conference bookings.
     

 

 

 




Development Team:

Interior Designers:
The Ransley Group

Architects:
Falconer Chester

Main Contractor:
Balfour Beatty

Main Suppliers:
Carpets:
- Gaskell Carpets Ltd
- Newhey Carpets Ltd
Lighting:
- Chelsom Ltd
Signage:
- Rivermeade Signs Ltd
Casegoods:
- William Maclean
Upholstery:
- Sekers Fabrics
Wallcoverings:
- Muraspec
- Tektura
Artwork:
- Indigo Art
Fitting Out:
- Mosaic Interior Contracts

Photography:
Mark Jory - mark@jory.co.uk
© Copyright Hotel Designs 2007