Budget hotel chain Travelodge is using a new construction method. Credit: Travelodge.

Travelodge – the budget hotel group – will use 86 modified ship containers stacked on top of each other and securely bolted together, to create a recyclable building in Uxbridge town centre that will appear exactly the same as its other 330 hotels in the UK, Ireland and Spain.

The modules, created by Verbus Systems, are shipped from China with the bathrooms, plasterboard walls and the ‘first fix’ of electrical points already in place. Once installed at the site, windows are fitted, the modules are decorated and furnished, and then the exterior of the building is cladded.

London-based Verbus Systems – a joint business venture between consulting engineers, Buro Happold and constructor, George & Harding – has developed its unique modular construction system over the last four years. The manufacture of the modules has been outsourced to the global market leaders in the production of shipping containers in China.

Colin Harding, Chairman of Verbus Systems, said: “The Verbus System is the first major advance in construction technology for 100 years, since the introduction of the steel frame. We have been very impressed by the forward thinking approach of Travelodge in engaging in new approaches seen in other industries to deliver cost, time and environmental benefits to their growth targets.”

Travelodge predicts this strategy of building hotels will enable the chain to cut 10% from the cost of each build, and improve construction speed by 25%.
The average cost to build a 100-bed hotel traditionally runs at approximately £5 million. The new method is predicted to reduce costs by 10% to £4.5m.

Paul Harvey, Travelodge’s Director of Property & Development, said: “We see this method of construction as a viable way for us to achieve our ambitious growth targets and believe that almost half of our new hotels over the next 12 years could be built in this way.”

The Uxbridge Travelodge is due to open in June and will start at £19 per room, per night, in line with other Travelodge hotels.
The modular hotel is also being tipped to revolutionise accommodation offerings at festivals or major sporting events due to the ease and speed in which buildings can be put together and taken apart.