Conlon Construction begins work on £16m Lake District hotel revamp

Building firm Conlon Construction is set to add another multi-million project to its portfolio after beginning work on a historic Lake District hotel.

The Preston-based company is carrying out a £16m renovation of the Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa in Windermere.

With funding from leisure operator English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, the owner of the historic property, Conlon will upgrade and refurbish all the site’s existing rooms and create a raft of new outdoor leisure facilities, including an atrium, spa, infinity pool, steam room, sauna and Canadian hot tubs offering views over the surrounding lake and mountains.

A new building will open later in the year, adding a further 32 suites and studio rooms along with a club lounge and roof garden to Low Wood Bay Resort’s offer.

Lancaster firm Mason Gillibrand Architects provided designs for the scheme.

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues’ managing director, Simon Berry, said: “It is a really exciting new chapter for us here at Low Wood Bay.

“This stunning building has been here for more than 300 years and this will be the biggest change it has gone through in its history.”

He continued: “We’re excited to be working with Conlon who hold extensive experience of delivering schemes for historic properties.

“We will be working together to make something truly special, bringing modern, top quality facilities to the area but without compromising the integrity or charm of this iconic building. We can’t wait to welcome our guests, both old and new, to see their reactions.”

The hotel closed for the revamp on January 3 and plans to reopen in April 2017, when phase one is complete.

Conlon Construction chairman Michael Conlon commented: “Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is a historic building with so much potential and it’s a real privilege to be part of the biggest transformation in its history.

“Our experience will enable us to deliver the project effectively and play a part in contributing to the hotel’s vision of becoming a world-class resort.”