Philadelphia-based VBC has designed the system to help accelerate the expansion of Marriott’s Fairfield brand across Europe.
Fairfield is Marriott International’s second-largest brand in terms of the number of hotels built: it currently has over 1,200 properties worldwide.
VBC has developed the new 136-room prototype modular hotel to “reflect the principles of European architecture and design” and to deliver fast and adaptable construction using advanced offsite manufacturing technology.
Marriott estimates that the VBC’s off-site method will reduce the build programme by around eight months, bringing projects to market earlier and benefiting revenue and cashflow for developers and operators.
The modular prototype has the flexibility to allow building designs to adapt to specific site requirements and meet the needs of each local market. According to the manufacturer, the hotels will be relatively cheap to build and operate, generating value for owners and providing consistent quality and service for hotel guests.
Marriott has designed the Fairfield hotel brand for urban locations in provincial towns and cities across Europe, specifically targeting the more mature hotel markets in the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany.
Paul Thomas, vice president for international hotel development at Marriott International, said: “We are extremely pleased with the partnership with VBC and are keen to build on our longstanding relationship. Following this collaboration, we have now launched the first approved modular hotel room in Europe for the fast-growing Fairfield brand. This is a very appealing offer for hotel investors, owners, and franchisees in terms of design, branding and pricing.”
“We think the time is right for expansion of this upper midscale, select service hotel brand across Europe and the prototype has already generated significant interest from developers,” continued Thomas. “This is a highly efficient economic model which will deliver strong results for investors and hotel owners.”
Andy Smith, UK director at VBC said, “This application of advanced modular technology will help to address some of the challenges facing developers – construction will be faster, acoustics are improved with less noise transmission between modules, and quality is more consistent.
“Manufacturing the hotel rooms in a controlled factory environment means a reduced carbon footprint and less waste. And by maximising work offsite, developing constrained urban locations is also much easier – from airport sites to out-of-town business parks.
“This design has been localised and developed specifically for the European market, with different room sizes, fixtures and fittings to the US Fairfield model. The prototype was very well received with real excitement when we showcased it in Gdansk in Poland and at an investor event in Munich.”
VBC’s prototype hotel room reflects the design philosophy of the Fairfield brand and is furnished in a contemporary style with a ‘Scandinavian aesthetic’. The system comprises two room layouts.
Each steel-framed module contains a fully-furnished room, ensuite bathroom, hallway, and corridor section. The system is suitable for hotels up to 20 storeys.
All the furniture, including the bathroom suite, will be manufactured in-house by VBC and installed off-site for faster, more efficient production and a repeatable quality of finish.
VBC has already delivered three modular hotels in the UK for Marriott International. It has also manufactured buildings for other major global brands including Hilton, Accor, Intercontinental Hotels, Whitbread, and citizenM.
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