The Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre comprises of a 172-bed hotel and a conference centre with the capacity to adapt to varied conferencing numbers, ranging from 200 down to 20. Following a competitive design competition, Glancy Nicholls Architects were awarded the scheme for the University of Birmingham in August 2015. The internal layout has been designed to accommodate free-flowing breakout across all levels, with a double height feature reception and main entrance as well as a restaurant.
The project required the provision of a central conferencing hub while establishing an architectural hierarchy and series of relationships between contemporary and existing buildings. This design-led approach has created an appropriate setting within the site’s conservation context. The new centre creates a contemporary environment that responds to this, while establishing a clear language to unite the architecture. The new building draws together three differing characteristics on three sides of the existing site, all while creating a controlled aesthetic to enhance the existing architecture.
The landscape has been designed to re-establish the historical character with formal gardens, historic features and controlled significant views. This cohesively creates a graceful backdrop for the site to sit in.
Opened to the public in September 2018, the centre offers a four-star hotel, stylish meeting and conferencing rooms, steakhouse dining (including full kitchen production) and is even a fully licensed wedding venue. The University are delighted with the finished development, which now plays a key part in the Edgbaston Campus development, providing visitors with an inspiring place to meet and stay in a quiet spot in the Edgbaston Conservation Area.
