Exeter’s new net-zero hotel is due to open in January next year, it has been revealed. Work is well underway on the Voco Zeal hotel at Exeter Science Park.
A topping out ceremony has just been held as the 142-bedroom hotel building reaches its highest point during construction. The hotel, which is aiming for four-star status, is environmentally friendly and is being constructed with half the embodied carbon of a standard hotel, and will generate all its own electricity from photovoltaic roof and wall panels.
The building is currently on schedule in week 39 of a 75-week construction programme. As a fully sustainable operation, produce is being sourced locally or grown on site, and it is intended to stimulate economic growth through job creation and investment, and attract the environmentally-conscious to the city.
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Developer Zeel Hotels is working with hospitality giant IHG Hotels and Resorts on the hotel, which will be run under IHG’s Voco brand. The hotel, next to J29 of the M5 Motorway, will be managed by Valor Hospitality. The Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park remains on schedule to be completed in December this year, with official opening planned for January 2025.
Zeal Hotels is also working with RED Construction South West, part of RED Construction Group, on the project, focusing on reducing emissions, rather than offsetting, to create an industry-leading sustainable hotel brand without compromising on guest experience and comfort levels. Tim Wheeldon, managing director of Zeal Hotels, said: “We are thrilled to have reached this milestone on the road towards completing our first net zero carbon hotel and it is a testament to the dedication of the team at Red Construction South West that we have arrived at this point ahead of schedule.
“We are also tracking ahead of future sustainable goals, having achieved the 2030 sustainability target for carbon emissions during construction and are forecast to hit the 2050 target for energy use during operation. Both are huge goals and in part, are due to the fact the hotel will be generating more solar energy than it will actually use.
“Our journey towards this point dates back more than a decade, when we realised we needed to take action to try and address and reduce the hotel sector’s role in climate change. We hope to inspire others by proving that affordable hotels can also be responsible.”
Simon Lousada, property developer and investor in Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, said: “Today marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards sustainable hospitality. The decision to build our net zero hotel reflects our commitment to combating climate change and reducing our carbon footprint.
“By harnessing renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient designs, and utilising cutting-edge technology, we aim to create a space that not only provides comfort and luxury but also prioritises environmental responsibility. This project represents more than just a building; it symbolises our dedication to sustainable development and responsible tourism. We recognise the importance of preserving our planet for future generations, and this hotel will serve as a beacon of sustainability in our community.”
Derek Quinn, managing director of RED Construction South West, said: “It is a milestone project for RED South West, working within the prestigious Exeter Science Park, and we look forward to completing the Zeal Hotel as part of such a brilliant team.”
Dr Sally Basker, chief executive of Exeter Science Park Ltd, said: “We are delighted with the progress made to date on the new Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, and the reaching of this significant milestone ahead of schedule in the construction programme is a huge achievement.
“We are proud to be the location for the first Zeal/IHG net zero carbon hotel which is compatible with Exeter Science Park’s own net-zero ambitions. There are huge potential synergies between the hotel and Exeter Science Park and we anticipate these will benefit Exeter Science Park’s businesses, the hotel’s residents, and the wider Devon community.”
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