by Jbs083008e5 — September 3, 2008—Travelodge opened a 120-room hotel on August 15 that was built with modified shipping containers in what it says is the first hotel construction project of its kind in Europe. The hotel in Uxbridge, London was crafted from 86 steel containers in a modular construction project developed by Verbus Systems.
According to Travelodge, the containers were modified and fitted with hotel room fixtures and fittings in Shenzen, China, shipped to England, trucked to the site, and then fitted together in a framework to form the building. It reportedly took only 20 days to place the containers in the framework. After the infrastructure and other internal connections were installed, the exterior of the building was completed and a roof was attached.
Paul Harvey, managing director of international and development at Travelodge, said his firm’s use of modified shipping containers demonstrates its commitment to innovation and cost effectiveness, adding, “Customers will notice no difference in their room to a traditionally constructed hotel, yet they will benefit from the low prices we charge due to our desire to cut the cost of doing business.”
Travelodge plans to build a 307-room hotel at Heathrow using the same technique.
