RED Construction South West, the regional arm of RED Construction Group, has been appointed to deliver the £20m net zero carbon ZEAL Hotel in Exeter. It is the third project that the RED SW management team have delivered for the client, and will be the first ZEAL Hotel.

Established in 2012 with the specific aim of developing hotels in strategic locations, ZEAL Hotels is managed by industry leaders Tim Wheeldon and Tony Clark, who have a combined 50 years’ experience in hotel development and construction. During the last 3 years, ZEAL has developed and opened a Holiday Inn Express and an Ibis Hotel, both in the South West. 

Located in Exeter Science Park and designed by architects ECE Westworks Bristol, the first mindfully modern, net zero carbon ZEAL Hotel will be targeted at the business, leisure, and sustainability orientated market, and works are set to commence on site this autumn. RED Construction South West has been brought in to deliver the unique hotel, developing its bespoke design elements to over 140 rooms across four storeys, a bar, restaurant with a ‘theatre’ kitchen, and work and meeting facilities. The project will also include extensive landscaping, the integration of renewable energy sources, and the implementation of over 25 solar-powered EV charging points. The ZEAL Hotel is targeted to open in early 2024.

RED South West Managing Director, Derek Quinn, commented: “After working with ZEAL Hotels for many years, it is a privilege to be working with the team on their first net zero carbon ‘ZEAL Hotel’, in a region we are passionate about. The build will have many unique elements that will draw on the RED Construction South West team’s extensive expertise, and we look forward to breaking ground on this milestone project for our business.” 

ZEAL Hotels Managing Director, Tim Wheeldon, added: “The first ZEAL Hotel has been designed to challenge everything we know about the hotel construction industry. From the build to the final product, ZEAL Hotel will be mindfully modern and unlike any other hotel in the region. We are delighted to have appointed RED Construction South West to bring this exciting project to life and are eager to be working with their expert team again. It’s exciting to have Exeter Science Park, the first of several locations we are presently considering.”