Tulip Inn Hotel

This new six-storey 155-bed hotel in Swords was Tulip UK’s first hotel in Ireland and their largest to date. The structure is of modular steel-frame pod construction with a steel frame transfer to the entrance area at ground floor. This is was the first time a prefabricated steel framed pod system was used on this scale of development. The pods were manufactured in England by Caledonian Building Systems and transported by ferry when required on site. The pods were provided complete with windows, bathrooms, and plasterboard and finishes with central services installed and external finishes applied once in place. Because of the form of construction used the development took 38 weeks from commencement to completion.

Close liaison was required with the engineers responsible for the pod design to ensure the design complied with Irish Building Regulation requirements. This was also necessary to obtain the loading from above for the design of the steel frame transfer structure at first floor level ensuring an open plan hotel foyer, dining area at ground floor.

An independent steel framed circular building was provided to the west end of the development to house and independently operated restaurant. In order to achieve the required level of car parking for the development a 2-storey car park was provided to the rear of the hotel complex.