Building work completed on Sunderland's Hilton hotel

The city's first Hilton hotel is preparing to welcome its first guests.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Apr 2016, 10:44 BST
Updated 12th Apr 2016, 10:47 BST
Inside the new hotelInside the new hotel
Inside the new hotel

Built in the shadow of the Stadium of Light, The Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland will launch at the end of the month making it the only one of its kind between Birmingham and Glasgow.

Earlier this week the build’s main contractors, Tolent Construction Ltd, handed the keys to owners SFC Hotels, bringing the year-long project one step closer to completion.

Paul Humble, Project Director Turner and Townsend, Peter Weymes, Facilities Manager, SFC Hotels, Gary Hutchinson, SFC Hotels, John Wood, Chairman Tolent and Dave Thompson, Regional Manager, Tolent.Paul Humble, Project Director Turner and Townsend, Peter Weymes, Facilities Manager, SFC Hotels, Gary Hutchinson, SFC Hotels, John Wood, Chairman Tolent and Dave Thompson, Regional Manager, Tolent.
Paul Humble, Project Director Turner and Townsend, Peter Weymes, Facilities Manager, SFC Hotels, Gary Hutchinson, SFC Hotels, John Wood, Chairman Tolent and Dave Thompson, Regional Manager, Tolent.
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Members of staff from SFC Hotels were given a special tour to mark the handover, with many seeing inside the building for the very first time.

“It has been an honour to be involved in such a landmark project for Sunderland and the wider North East,” said John Wood, Tolent chairman. “Everything has run relatively smoothly since the beginning of the project and I wish SFC Hotels every success with this prestigious development.”

The Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland, designed by Gateshead-based architects, Redbox Design Group, will house a 24 hour business centre, destination restaurant, fitness suite and meeting rooms, as well as 141 en-suite guest rooms spread across two wings.

Key contractors involved in the project, managed by professional service provider, Turner & Townsend, have so far included Opus Building Services, based in Sunderland, Walker Modular, based in Yorkshire and Swandene Specialist Contract Interiors, based at Washington, Tyne and Wear alongside many other regional companies.

Paul Humble, Project Director Turner and Townsend, Peter Weymes, Facilities Manager, SFC Hotels, Gary Hutchinson, SFC Hotels, John Wood, Chairman Tolent and Dave Thompson, Regional Manager, Tolent.Paul Humble, Project Director Turner and Townsend, Peter Weymes, Facilities Manager, SFC Hotels, Gary Hutchinson, SFC Hotels, John Wood, Chairman Tolent and Dave Thompson, Regional Manager, Tolent.
Paul Humble, Project Director Turner and Townsend, Peter Weymes, Facilities Manager, SFC Hotels, Gary Hutchinson, SFC Hotels, John Wood, Chairman Tolent and Dave Thompson, Regional Manager, Tolent.
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SFC Hotels and its partners are now focussing on the interior finish of the hotel, including its contemporary glass lobby and stylish Karbon Grill Kitchen and Bar, with plans to open fully at the end of the month.

“The Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland has been a huge undertaking for SFC Hotels,” said Kim Kelso, general manager.

“Getting the keys from Tolent Construction is another step towards providing high quality, good value accommodation to those visiting Sunderland for business or pleasure and we’re counting down to the opening with great excitement and look forward to a busy few weeks ahead.”

Bookings for the Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland can now be made by contacting [email protected].

Related topics:John WoodStadium of Light