The Oxford Belfry hotel is designed around two courtyards giving guests wonderful views across the Oxfordshire countryside.
Beard has converted an existing roof space to create 24 additional luxury en-suite bedrooms, 18 of which were completed 10 weeks ahead of schedule. The original brief was for 18 rooms, but through careful programming and phasing of work, Beard managed to absorb another six rooms into the programme.
All of the bedrooms have been finished to a very high standard to meet the hotel's four-star status. To show the quality of finishes and workmanship, Beard had to create a sample bedroom before the rest of the bedrooms could be created.
Beard also refurbished and extended the ‘Bistro’ bar and 'Reflections Spa', creating a state-of-the art gymnasium, exercise studio, sauna and seven treatment rooms.
Challenges and solutions
Disruption to the day-to-day running of the hotel was avoided by entering the site through an existing window in the gable end of the roof space. This moved construction activity away from the main entrance
To meet the requirements of the programme, the work was divided into four phases to enable trades to be moved in sequence from one area to another
Bamboo screening and temporary plants were used to reduce the visual impact of construction work taking place next to occupied areas
Subcontractor interviews were held on site so that subcontractors could see the environment they would be working in.
"We were particularly pleased that Beard achieved the early completion of 24 additional guest bedrooms. The Beard team provided effective communication with both ourselves and our partners throughout the project. Planning and scheduling was efficient
and response to queries speedy, giving us a feeling of confidence as the project progressed."
