Hilton Hotel Ageas Bowl Southampton

Scope of Works

Powells were appointed as principal contractor to complete the part-built Hilton Hotel at The Ageas Bowl — a landmark site and home to Hampshire Cricket. The comprehensive Design & Build contract encompassed full construction and interior fit-out across a 19,125m² footprint, covering seven floors. Our works included:

171 luxury bedrooms and suites in 27 different formats, many with pitch-facing balconies
A state-of-the-art media centre for Sky TV with retractable seating
Conference and event spaces, including the South Coast’s largest ballroom (700 capacity)
‘Beefy’s’ Restaurant & Bar and multiple dining spaces including the spa’s own restaurant
Eforea Spa with gym, plunge pool, treatment rooms, salt grotto, jacuzzi terrace, solarium and more
Executive Club, sports bar, boardrooms, six meeting rooms and staff facilities
External works including 170-space car park, green roof installation, and extensive landscaping
A broadcast compound, drainage infrastructure and over 1,000 trees and shrubs planted

Client

Southampton Developments Ltd

Scope of work

Hospitality

Leisure

Timeline

60 Weeks

Scope of Works

171 luxury bedrooms and suites in 27 different formats, many with pitch-facing balconies
A state-of-the-art media centre for Sky TV with retractable seating
Conference and event spaces, including the South Coast’s largest ballroom (700 capacity)
‘Beefy’s’ Restaurant & Bar and multiple dining spaces including the spa’s own restaurant
Eforea Spa with gym, plunge pool, treatment rooms, salt grotto, jacuzzi terrace, solarium and more
Executive Club, sports bar, boardrooms, six meeting rooms and staff facilities
External works including 170-space car park, green roof installation, and extensive landscaping
A broadcast compound, drainage infrastructure and over 1,000 trees and shrubs planted

Client

Southampton Developments Ltd

Scope of work

Hospitality

Leisure

Timeline

60 Weeks

Challenges

The project presented formidable obstacles from the outset:

Inherited a half-complete, dormant and weather-damaged site following the liquidation of the previous contractor
Major remedial works including removal of £1m+ worth of non-compliant services and water-damaged materials
High-pressure deadlines — the media centre had to be operational in just 12 weeks for live international broadcasting
Mechanical and structural redesigns due to flawed inherited plans and limited space from mezzanine additions
Coordination of over 200 subcontractors and 13 consultants while maintaining Hilton’s brand standards

Key Results

Delivered a flagship Hilton hotel to the highest standards, within a guaranteed maximum cost and tight programme
Completed the entire project in 60 weeks, with over 400 site workers at peak activity
Successfully opened ahead of schedule with high praise from Hilton, the client, and design partners
Received the LABC Award for Best Commercial Building in the South East
Project launched with significant fanfare — officially opened by Catherine Zeta-Jones CBE and Sir Ian Botham
Showcased Powells’ ability to lead large-scale hospitality projects through adversity, complexity, and critical timelines

Quote

“Complex building, high standard of finishes, well managed. Powells took on the construction of the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl Southampton at a difficult stage, and diligently applied their management, procurement and construction expertise in a highly pressurised situation. The tireless site managers worked closely with EPR and the design team throughout to deliver excellent bedrooms, and a high quality of finish in the public areas and restaurants. We enjoyed working with the Powells team and we all take great pride in this unique hotel. Good work guys!”
“The holistic and cohesive design of the cricket ground brings a luxury hotel with high-quality business, leisure and hospitality facilities to this world-class sporting destination.”