LONDON, June 18, 2007 -- Park Plaza Hotels and contractor Gear Construction Project Management, have today announced the next phase in the development of their latest project, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, their largest hotel management contract to date. The hotel company's aim is to create a destination that becomes the next venue of choice for international conferences and events.
Gear Construction Project Management, the contractor responsible for developing and building Park Plaza's stunning portfolio of UK hotels, has began construction of their newest property.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, being built opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, is a major hotel development in the heart of London promising eco-friendly initiatives, urban regeneration and one of the largest hotel based conference spaces in central London.
The striking new hotel, designed by BUJ Architects and Uri Blumenthal Architects & Town Planners, will offer over 2,500 square metres of conference space with 1,000 bedrooms. The hotel will offer conference space for up to 1,250 delegates and will increase Park Plaza's London portfolio to 2,200 guest bedrooms.
In recent years, London's skyline has been redeveloped from Tower Bridge to Vauxhall Bridge, with Park Plaza Westminster Bridge representing the next stage in completing an ultra-modern South Bank cityscape.
Eli Papouchado, Chairman of Park Plaza Hotels, is delighted with the progress already being made at the site, commenting: "I am thrilled to be so closely involved with the development of this striking new hotel, and the significant impact it will have on the regeneration of the South Bank. The area is now one of the most visited in the city, and I am proud to be part of its rejuvenated success."
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London will be the eighth Park Plaza-managed hotel in the UK to be built by Gear Construction Project Management, following hotels in Leeds, Nottingham and areas of London now enjoying the rewards of extensive regeneration such as Vauxhall and Victoria. The combined partnership of developer and hotel management has proved a winning success across the company's UK estate and extends across to the Continent where Park Plaza Hotels manage, own and franchise some 26 hotels.
Boris Ivesha, President and Chief Executive Officer for Park Plaza Hotels, commented: "Demand for London continues to grow, fuelled by a buoyant business climate, emerging markets such as China and India, the impact of Heathrow Terminal 5 and the London 2012 Olympics. The opening of Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in 2010 and our 400-room Park Plaza County Hall -- due to open on London's South Bank this autumn -- will be welcome additions to London's luxury hotel offering."
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London will feature some of the latest eco-friendly technologies limiting its impact on the environment. The hotel will have an on-site filtered water bottling 'factory' (Carbon filter process) eliminating the need to transport and dispose of an estimated one million bottles of water per year. The hotel will utilize the latest building insulation technology with triple glazed, energy retaining cladding for heat and cold retention to maximize energy efficiency. Furthermore, the hotel will produce 15 per cent of its own energy using a biomass electric generator. The construction will also recycle 4,500 m3 of concrete from the demolished GLC building that was retained on site for use in the new build process.
Ivesha continues: "Tourism accounts for a significant and growing percentage of GDP in the UK and it is important for the industry to take the lead in finding ways of mitigating our environmental impact. We aim to set a new standard for hotels adopting environmentally friendly policies to give this exciting new development a five-star environ-friendly rating."
The popular South Bank area has enjoyed continued regeneration over the last few years with the latest £110 million refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall continuing the movement. The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel development will make its own contribution to the regeneration of the area with a total investment of £300 million, with £4.6 million allocated to local regeneration schemes including public transport, employment and the training of local people. A further £1.6 million is allocated towards the creation of a landscaped public space around the hotel. Westminster Bridge Roundabout will become part-pedestrian with a piazza that will limit traffic to taxis and public transport, making it a more scenic and enjoyable area.
"The piazza will create a direct connection between Waterloo and Westminster that will be much easier for tourists and residents to travel between by foot," continued Ivesha.
"Urban regeneration is extremely important if London is to make an impact at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This includes extending the support businesses provide to the city south of the river. This trail blazing scheme is a fantastic way to widen the horizons of Lambeth and create a future landmark for travel and tourism in South London."
The initial announcement was made in October 2005, when financial investment partners Galliard Homes and Frogmore Property Company Limited, together with Eurosea Hotels, declared the multi-million pound project on the south bank for the 14-storey apart-hotel development.
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