CONTRACTORS have broken ground on the brand-new Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Stoke-on-Trent, part of the landmark Smithfield development.
The 140-bed Hilton Garden Inn is the first Hilton branded hotel in Stoke and is being delivered in a partnership between Genr8 Developments and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Genr8 will retain ownership of the hotel.
The hotel is scheduled to open in late 2019 and Genr8 has appointed the UK’s leading independent hotel management company, RBH, to operate the hotel.
Pochin Ltd has been appointed to deliver the £20m hotel development and has commenced on-site with a 17 month build programme.
The £170m Smithfield project will deliver up to 1million ft2 of Grade A office, residential, leisure and retail development space creating a new and dynamic mixed-use quarter in Hanley. Genr8 is also on-site currently with the construction of a 151 unit Build-to-Rent residential development at Smithfield.
Richard Ingham, partner at Genr8 Developments, said: “We’re delighted to announce that construction works have officially begun on the new Hilton Garden Inn, and are excited to be bringing the Hilton name to Stoke-on-Trent.
“Our decision to own as well as develop the new hotel signifies our confidence in both the Hilton brand and the demand for a new high-quality hotel in the city centre.
“Reaching this important milestone is testament to all of the partners involved in particular the city council, Hilton and RBH. Stoke-on-Trent is a city on the up and the new hotel will be an important addition for both the business and tourism industries in the region.”
Genr8 celebrated the start of the hotel construction on-site today (Friday 20 July) alongside partners.
Both the hotel and Build-to-Rent developments are due to be completed in 2019, when residents will be able to occupy the apartments and the hotel will be fully open for trade.
The first phase of Smithfield Stoke-on-Trent which included 210,000 ft2 of Grade A office space was completed August 2015. Smithfield 1 and 2 are now fully let to a combination of public and private sector occupiers including Waterplus, Davies Group and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Cllr Ann James, leader of the city council, said: “This hotel development is another clear indicator that Stoke-on-Trent is changing for the better. We need more hotel accommodation in the city centre if we are to develop as a progressive, vibrant city and when you compare us to places of similar sizes, it has been an area where we have fallen short.
“To have an offer like this coming to Stoke-on-Trent shows the growing confidence there is in the city from private businesses. We’re delighted to have Hilton Garden Inn here in Stoke-on-Trent – the fact they are happy to bring their name and brand to the city speaks far louder than the construction project itself.”
Jon Adams, Managing Director of Pochin’s construction division, said: “We pride ourselves on developing long-term partnerships that result in quality additions to the local community. Our relationship with Genr8 is a perfect example of that partner-led approach and will ensure we’re able to deliver another major project for Stoke-on-Trent to the highest standard.”
Helder Pereira, CEO of RBH, said: “As our first Hilton Garden Inn, this new hotel represents a landmark addition to our growing portfolio, and we are pleased to see ground broken on the new development. This is a key milestone that takes us one step closer to the property’s much anticipated opening.
“Hilton Garden Inn Stoke-on-Trent also marks the continuation of our already strong partnership with Hilton, and gives us the opportunity to work with Genr8. We look forward to seeing the development flourish.”
For further details on the Hilton Garden Inn brand, visit newsroom.hilton.com/hgi