Brims helps transform former council HQ into a four-star Durham hotel.
WORK has begun on the transformation of a Grade II listed former council headquarters into a four star hotel and Marco Pierre White Steak House Bar and Grill.
Elvet Developments says it appointed Sunderland-based Brims Construction to undertake the Durham City refurbishment following a competitive tender, ‘awarding the contract on the basis of the overall quality of Brims’ submission’.
The 50-week job will see the Old Shire Hall in Durham City Centre transformed into a four-star, 83-bedroom Hotel Indigo, with an 88-cover restaurant.
The development, which has been designed by architects Howarth Litchfield, will also include a coffee shop, cocktail and champagne bar and function room which can be used for weddings, conferences and events.
The Old Shire Hall, which was originally built as the headquarters of Durham County Council, has stood vacant since late 2012.
Harry Twizell, senior project manager, at Brims Construction, said: “Shire Hall is a fabulous building and we are delighted to have been chosen to undertake the development and in doing so, help preserve some of its outstanding period features, whilst transforming it into a modern, contemporary hotel.
“The development has presented some unique challenges; we are taking part of the existing roof off to create new bedroom space in the void and, along with this, installing the building services whilst maintaining the listed features and detailing within the hotel. It is difficult, but our knowledge and experience in dealing with such challenges is proving invaluable.”
Neil Turner, director of Howarth Litchfield, said: “One of the biggest challenges, typical of working within a listed building, is to painstakingly retain the original features while upgrading the mechanical and electrical services.
“Brims will be drawing upon its local supply chain for this purpose to faithfully recreate cornicing, plasterwork, woodwork and so on.”.
For further information contact Peter McCusker, Mamjam Media, 07828 061795. peter@mamjammedia.com.