ERP Architects will create first Great Wolf resort outside the US with 500-bed hotel and waterpark
by Tom Anstey | 05 Aug 2019
US waterpark and resort operator Great Wolf Resorts has announced plans to open its first venture overseas, with the Great Wolf Lodge opening in Oxfordshire, UK, in 2022.
Great Wolf, which currently has 18 locations across North America, will submit a planning application later this month, with construction on the £200m (US$242.8m, €217.8m) venture scheduled to start in 2020.
The London office of EPR Architects is leading the design work for the project, which sets the intention for the hotel – given EPR was responsible for three of London's most trendy properties, The Ned, The Mondrian and The Ace Hotel.
Bradley Murphey Design (BMD) is providing landscape architecture and consultancy DP9 is handling planning.
According to Great Wolf, the design will "reflect the nature of the site and its location in Oxfordshire".
The proposed site is currently home to the Bicester Golf Course, half of which will be redeveloped to accommodate the 186,000sq m (2,000,000sq ft) development.
According to the proposal, the resort will be anchored by an 8,800sq m (95,000sq ft) indoor waterpark, with an adjoining 5,000sq m (54,000sq ft) adventure park featuring a high ropes course, climbing wall, miniature golf, bowling and an arcade. There will also be a 500-bedroom hotel set over four storeys.
If plans gain approval, the golf course and its adjoining hotel and spa will continue to operate, but the course will have only nine holes instead of 18, with new facilities, including an outside swimming lake and a new restaurant developed for the course. A full planning application will be submitted in Q3 2019.
Great Wolf says it expects 500,000 visitors a year, with Bicester chosen because of its transport links. The plans will create 600 full-time jobs when open and 1,350 jobs during the construction phase.
waterpark Great Wolf Oxfordshire Bicester Golf Course adventure park hotel EPR BMD DP9
London-based architects EPR are lead designers for the project Credit: Great Wolf
Great Wolf says it expects 500,000 visitors a year, with Bicester chosen because of its transport links Credit: Great Wolf
The proposed site is currently home to the Bicester Golf Course, half of which will be redeveloped to accommodate the 186,000sq m (2,000,000sq ft) development Credit: Great Wolf
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US waterpark and resort operator Great Wolf Resorts has announced plans to open its first venture overseas, with the Great Wolf Lodge opening in Oxfordshire, UK, in 2022. Great Wolf, which currently has 18 locations across North America, will submit a planning application later this month, with construction on the £200m (US$242.8m, €217.8m) venture scheduled to start in 2020. The London office of EPR Architects is leading the design work
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