Conference news: New hotel at The University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham has announced plans to develop a 200-bed, 4 star equivalent hotel on its main University Park campus. The eco-friendly hotel will be sited next to the East Midlands Conference Centre and will feature at least 50 executive-style rooms, four boardrooms and a gym as well as a restaurant and bar which will be open to the public.

Building work is expected to commence in 2011, with completion due autumn 2012. Funded by The University of Nottingham, the new hotel will complement the existing facilities provided by the EMCC, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2010. It will also provide a much needed resource for visitors to the University.

The £20 million project has already appointed architects and interior designers to develop an eco-friendly building. The design of the hotel will feature external walk able rooftop gardens and terraces with maximum use of natural day light. Open spaces will provide superb views of The University of Nottingham’s extensively landscaped campus, whilst using state-of-the-art technology will reduce carbon emissions. Solar photovoltaic panels and an air-sourced heat pump are under consideration, as well as a new assisted-cooling ventilation system to allow temperatures to be client-controlled.

As a minimum, the hotel will aim to achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) which recognises low impact buildings that incorporate the best environmental practice. The University of Nottingham has developed a series of award-winning buildings that have underlined its commitment to sustainable architecture and construction.

Professor David Greenaway, Vice Chancellor of The University of Nottingham commented ‘The key aspect of the proposed design of the hotel is how well it nestles into the surrounding orchard hillside landscape and its environmental sustainability credentials.

Although the hotel will complement the hugely successful EMCC, it will generate income in its own right, providing accommodation for the general public, local businesses and University visitors. I am sure that the hotel will prove to be a valuable asset for the future development of the University and further enhance the University’s important contribution to the city of Nottingham.’