Resorts World, Birmingham

Genting UK Uses Metframe to Deliver High Quality Structural Solution at Birmingham Leisure and Entertainment Complex

The UK’s largest specialist lightweight structural steel manufacturer, Metsec has supported the construction of Genting UK’s new Resorts World complex in Birmingham by supplying its pre-panelised steel framing system, Metframe.

The £150m Resorts World development, which was built by main contractor Galliford Try, offers a unique 55,000sqm leisure and entertainment complex inclusive of a hotel, spa, casino, 50 retail outlets, a wide range of restaurants and bars and a multi-screen IMAX cinema and is located on the NEC campus in Solihull.

Metframe was chosen as the structural solution to enable quick and efficient construction of the top three storeys of the complex. The three-storey structure forms a 178-room, four-star boutique hotel and spa facility with five-star suites on the top floor, which caters for delegates and visitors to the 900 events that are held at the National Exhibition Centre annually as well as leisure guests visiting the West Midlands region.

As Metframe is assembled offsite to form easy-to-erect panels, the full frame could be delivered to the contractor in the required erection sequence and simply bolted together on location. This means that it provided a zero-waste solution and a low-carbon alternative to traditional concrete and steel frames.

Steve Milward, Design Manager at Galliford Try explains the benefits of using Metframe for the Resorts World project: “Due to the lightweight nature of the joisted floor solution within the Metframe system, Metsec was able to deliver a frame that fitted within the strict criteria of the supporting structure below. Also, a huge benefit for the project was the speed of installation. By using Metframe, we could easily manage the build in phases to ensure structural soundness throughout the process.”

Thomas Atkin of Atkin Trade Specialists, who installed the Metframe system, comments: “Building a multi-storey, steel structure on top of a pre-existing building is a complicated process and there were a lot of in-depth design considerations to prepare for. However, in total, the construction of all 178 units took just 16 weeks, which is highly impressive for a build this big. Metsec worked closely with us to produce a 3D design of the hotel structure for Galliford Try, which enabled us to plan the works and stick to the contractor’s construction programme. This, in turn, helped to reduce waste and emphasize the environmentally friendly aspects of the build – an ethos which we hold close to our own hearts.”

Richard Allen, Marketing and Business Development Director at Metsec added: “As a Black Country-based business we are incredibly proud that we were able to supply a cost-effective and highly manageable solution for incorporation into the project at the NEC. Metframe is an extremely competitive solution, which delivers a high quality building. Therefore, it was the perfect choice for the construction of the new 4 star boutique hotel at the Resorts World complex.”

For more information watch the video introduction to Metframe.

Take a look at Metsec’s pre-panelised steel-framing Metframe system