Radical hotel refurbishment hits Dundee waterfront
November 24 2017
The year-long project saw an existing restaurant make way for a 180-seat replacement benefitting from panoramic views across the River Tay.
Taking its place alongside the new V&A Museum, Discovery Visitor Centre and railway station the expanded hotel has positioned itself in readiness for an anticipated influx of visitors.
Stephen McGhee, principal of LMA Architects commented: “We are delighted to see the successful completion of what was a challenging project for the design and construction teams to build 109 new bedrooms and a restaurant round an existing hotel block and complete the construction works during infrastructure works and construction of the adjacent V&A museum and railway station.”
The new hotel was delivered by Ogilvie Construction.
Guests will be able to experience the city's revitalised waterfront at first-hand
Premier Inn is anticipating a tourism bonanza on the back of the V&A
Premier Inn's pastiche home has been given a contemporary makeover
The hotel is unrecognisable from its former guise
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16 Comments
#2 Posted by StyleCouncil on 24 Nov 2017 at 11:52 AM
Are LMA seriously trying to pick up on the V+A's stratified exterior with that fire escape cladding and horrific, nauseating Trespa pattern?....man, they should have kept the cottage pastiche, at least it is fairly invisible. This is truly vulgar.
A big shouty Premier Inn and an all day carvery restaurant is a tragic indictment for how we approach regeneration in this country.
A big shouty Premier Inn and an all day carvery restaurant is a tragic indictment for how we approach regeneration in this country.
#3 Posted by MV on 24 Nov 2017 at 13:18 PM
I think that's a bit harsh. You'll become familiar with this in time... its better than a lot of things going up in Dundee at the moment...
#4 Posted by Captain Ahab on 24 Nov 2017 at 14:44 PM
THE END IS NIGH -
#5 Posted by E=mc2 on 24 Nov 2017 at 20:03 PM
Proof, if ever it were needed, that you can’t polish a turd.
#6 Posted by teegeeweegee on 24 Nov 2017 at 21:55 PM
i know that there is so much out there that is indistinguishable from this, but it is really awful…i suppose that it's just tripped a breaker for me…i've had enough…it is unbelievably poor
#7 Posted by Philip on 25 Nov 2017 at 07:27 AM
#3 are you serious...'you'll get use to it over time'?
You can get use to anything over time if it's the only option....Prison, the Scottish weather, the RIAS....
This is a horrid scheme/ turgid article
You can get use to anything over time if it's the only option....Prison, the Scottish weather, the RIAS....
This is a horrid scheme/ turgid article
#8 Posted by MV on 27 Nov 2017 at 12:58 PM
#7- you miss the point. #1 suggested that the twee design of the 90's was at least "comforting" and had become "familiar" - which is utter nonsense. At least this architect has "tried" to do something here, whether you think they have succeeded or not, is up to personal taste.
#9 Posted by gaypawel on 27 Nov 2017 at 16:58 PM
it is not very in keeping with the rest going up. I would have like to see some sail shaped chrome fins extending from the river side, to keep the boat look going
#10 Posted by Cateran on 27 Nov 2017 at 22:54 PM
The only positive thing I can say is at least it won't detract from the KK design, but I assume it's blandness and lack of rigour is at the behest of the hotel chain? Dumbed down Britain personified.
#11 Posted by Jonathan on 28 Nov 2017 at 08:56 AM
I pass this scheme every day to work and I actually like it. The materiality of the elevations works well. At night it is nicely lit up. Yes the barcode elevational treatment wont be to everyone's taste and whilst i don't particularly rave about it, i dont mind it as much as others are suggesting.
It is far too easy for people to post negative trolling comments here, is this what our educated profession has turned into? Of course there are some examples of very ugly buildings around (although beauty is a matter of taste) but i dont think this is one of them.
Dundee's waterfront is creating a positive benefit to the city, this building is a positive part of that. That is why i got into Architecture - to make a positive impact on people's lives, not to listen to sneering judgemental peer comments.
let's lighten up a little (season of goodwill coming up) and stop mudslinging.
It is far too easy for people to post negative trolling comments here, is this what our educated profession has turned into? Of course there are some examples of very ugly buildings around (although beauty is a matter of taste) but i dont think this is one of them.
Dundee's waterfront is creating a positive benefit to the city, this building is a positive part of that. That is why i got into Architecture - to make a positive impact on people's lives, not to listen to sneering judgemental peer comments.
let's lighten up a little (season of goodwill coming up) and stop mudslinging.
#12 Posted by 42 on 29 Nov 2017 at 09:25 AM
Jonathon,
It's receiving a higher proportion of widespread hate than usual for a reason.
Personally, I think they'd have been better off ditching the barcode motif entirely, in favour of fewer materials and colours.
At least the original building was the sort of background vernacular that could be overlooked. This screams for attention, in competition with the V&A.
It should understand its urban significance.
It's receiving a higher proportion of widespread hate than usual for a reason.
Personally, I think they'd have been better off ditching the barcode motif entirely, in favour of fewer materials and colours.
At least the original building was the sort of background vernacular that could be overlooked. This screams for attention, in competition with the V&A.
It should understand its urban significance.
#13 Posted by MV on 30 Nov 2017 at 22:44 PM
42 “At least the original building was the sort of background vernacular that could be overlooked.” Background vernacular? What does that even mean? Whatever, I’ll need to remember it for the next crap building I design; “Rubbish? No, it’s fine, it’s just background vernacular- I designed it like that so it could be overlooked”.
Enough of the absolutely nonsense chat please.
Enough of the absolutely nonsense chat please.
#14 Posted by 42 on 4 Dec 2017 at 11:02 AM
MV.
It certainly shouldn't be attempting to compete for position with the V&A - it's a Premier Inn.
A building can still be of a high standard, without jumping up and down about it.
A Premiere Inn is not an opportunity to flex one's vast architectural vocabulary. This building lacks modesty.
Do you design a lot of crap building's MV? You seem rather sensitive about this one.
It certainly shouldn't be attempting to compete for position with the V&A - it's a Premier Inn.
A building can still be of a high standard, without jumping up and down about it.
A Premiere Inn is not an opportunity to flex one's vast architectural vocabulary. This building lacks modesty.
Do you design a lot of crap building's MV? You seem rather sensitive about this one.
#15 Posted by MV on 5 Dec 2017 at 10:57 AM
42. I'm not sensitive about this building, just sensitive about the nonsense comments people like you make. You are actually suggesting that the original, twee, premier inn was better? Really? You are standing up for this "background vernacular"? Maybe all the 1980's and 90's "background vernacular" (crap) should be listed, I think you should start a campaign. I'm guessing this is the type of "crap" you design, perhaps?
As I said before, the architects have tried to "design" something here, whether you think its good or bad and want to comment on it - fine, but using the previous buildings appearance as a factor, is just embarrassing.
As I said before, the architects have tried to "design" something here, whether you think its good or bad and want to comment on it - fine, but using the previous buildings appearance as a factor, is just embarrassing.
#16 Posted by 42 on 5 Dec 2017 at 16:56 PM
If my terminology is not to your taste, then I'll rephrase:
The new building has fussy, garish cladding and stands out like a sore thumb.
The old building was of masonry construction, with 'traditional' forms, pitched roofs, conventional windows etc... while I concede it was not the nicest building, it was not prominent in its surroundings. That honour should fall to buildings such as the V&A.
I am hardly suggesting modern architecture should be twee, pastiche and the like.
I am merely saying this new building is trying too hard when in reality its 'ambitious' facade was always going to be limited by numerous factors (budget, room size, building contract type, client) because it is a premier inn. I have seen many, more successful, premier inns with a much more limited palette of forms and materials.
Basically, I'm coming at this from an urban perspective, which it seems the design didn't.
The new building has fussy, garish cladding and stands out like a sore thumb.
The old building was of masonry construction, with 'traditional' forms, pitched roofs, conventional windows etc... while I concede it was not the nicest building, it was not prominent in its surroundings. That honour should fall to buildings such as the V&A.
I am hardly suggesting modern architecture should be twee, pastiche and the like.
I am merely saying this new building is trying too hard when in reality its 'ambitious' facade was always going to be limited by numerous factors (budget, room size, building contract type, client) because it is a premier inn. I have seen many, more successful, premier inns with a much more limited palette of forms and materials.
Basically, I'm coming at this from an urban perspective, which it seems the design didn't.
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Although the design of these hotels from the 90's were nothing spectacular, there was something comforting about them in their familiarity. Same can't be said for the glorified sheds of today.