To provide both additional hotel accommodation and a re-modelled ground floor in line with the brand “Next Generation Guest Experience”, MSM Contracts were awarded this contract to construct a rear annexe at the Holiday Inn Express Belfast City hotel. Located on University Street, south Belfast, this newbuild extension comprises two levels of covered car parking; 60nr additional guestrooms over three levels and plant rooms at roof level.

The works were carried out within the existing hotel car park and were phased to minimise the impact on hotel operations, which remained ongoing throughout the construction period.

The building is constructed with a reinforced concrete frame on CFA piled foundations. The building envelope is a lightweight steel continuous walling system with an insulated render façade system, PPC aluminium glazing and zinc standing seam cladding to projections along the rear elevation. The annexe was connected to the existing hotel at the guestroom levels by a steel-framed link bridge, enveloped in rainscreen cladding on SFS framing.

Complete interior fit-out works were carried out to the guestrooms, en-suites and circulation areas including M&E services; ceramic tiling; sanitaryware; timber doorsets, skirtings; fitted furniture; carpets; wallpaper coverings and decoration.

The ground floor entrance lobby/reception and dining area were extensively refurbished within a fast-track programme and in line with the upgraded brand specification. This involved replacement electrical works; interior surface finishes and specialist joinery works.

The reinforced concrete car park was constructed over 2nr levels with ramped accesses and fitted out with lighting, coloured surface coatings and line markings.