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Case Study

Midland Hotel, Iconic Landmark Refurbishment

Garland UK Technical Manager
Daniel Crowley

Approved Contractor
Ronald G Graham Roofing & Building Ltd

Midland Hotel, Iconic Landmark Refurbishment

Garland System

StressPly Flex Plus

Sector

Commercial

Manchester’s iconic Midland Hotel sits in the heart of the city centre and has been a well-loved retreat for visitors since opening its doors in 1903. Operated by the Jurys Inn Group, the hotel showcases a range of luxury suites, conference rooms, award-winning spas and restaurants. Following decades of service to the city, The Midland Hotel had started to show signs of its age, with multiple areas of water ingress across the site that needed to be addressed to preserve the building for years to come.

Garland UK was appointed to inspect the signs of water ingress, carrying out a site visit by the local Garland Technical Manager, Dan Crowley, to investigate the root cause and custom solution to the issue.

Following the site visit, the comprehensive roof survey found that large portions of the roof system held approximately 20% saturated insulation. Following a further moisture mapping assessment, it was possible to identify the specific saturated areas of the hotel’s roof that had been affected, preventing the need for the entire roof system to be stripped back to the original concrete deck.

Challenge

It was essential for the hotel to remain fully operational during the roofing refurbishment with minimal disruption to its customers.

The original single-ply system had failed across the courtyard and atrium roofs, leading to the insulation becoming fully saturated with water. The metal deck’s structural integrity had also been compromised, and a structural engineer was appointed to review the extent of the damage to confirm the area as condemned and in need of immediate replacement.

Dan Crowley designed a specification that would enable the hotel to continue to operate with minimal disruption to the guests. By carefully stripping the roof back to the existing metal deck, it was possible to install an 18mm plywood and D60 metal deck to strengthen the roof before moving on to the new waterproofing system. In adopting this approach, Garland prevented the hotel lobby from being exposed to the elements and ensured the premises could conduct business as usual.

Solution

A collaborative approach was taken between Dan and Approved Contractor Ronald G Graham Roofing, designing works in phases to reduce the disruption to the hotel and ensure budgets were strictly adhered to. With minimal unloading areas available due to the city centre location, all materials were delivered by Garland on the next day delivery as and when they were required, keeping the hotel loading areas clear and operational at every stage.

A bespoke Garland UK specification was designed to upgrade the insulation and U-Value of the hotel to comply with current regulations, remove ponding water on the roof systems with a new tapered insulation design and provide peace of mind to the building owners with a 25-year Garland Single-Point Guarantee.

Ronald G Graham Roofing installed Garland’s StressPly Flex Plus bituminous membrane system, formulated with SBS rubber modifiers for straightforward application, whilst maintaining superior tensile and tear strength. Working with extreme care and precision, the contractor carried out the installation to the highest standard, overseen by the Technical Manager, Dan, during twice-weekly site visits.

Outcome

On completion, all water ingress issues at the Midland Hotel had been resolved, the roof’s structural integrity had been improved, and minimal disturbance was experienced for the hotel guests and staff.

The new roof system was given a 25-year Single-Point Guarantee, allowing the building owners to benefit from Garland UK taking complete ownership of the project’s design, system and installation.

The Midland Hotel continues to exceed expectations as a popular destination for new guests and loyal visitors, proving that it continues to remain one of the city’s most cherished buildings.

The new waterproofing system guarantees the longevity of the building envelope. It ensures that all guests and visitors continue to have a comfortable stay, with no signs of water ingress in sight.

Midland Hotel, Iconic Landmark Refurbishment

Garland Technical Manager

Daniel Crowley

Approved Contractor

Ronald G Graham Roofing & Building Ltd

Modern metal tile roof refurbishment at Ynystawe Primary School, with R-MER TILE ST, retaining the traditional aesthetics of the building whilst providing superior long-term durability.

Quick Facts

Garland System

Dura-Coat

Sector

Residential

Project Saving Cost

£900,000

The storm exposed critical weaknesses in the original roof design, which had failed to cope with the site’s wind load demands. The closure meant immediate loss of revenue, reduced access to community leisure facilities, and growing urgency to reopen.

The replacement roof required complex engineering to match the building’s 40 metre wide dual-curved structure. Standing seam sheets up to 22 metres in length had to be precision-engineered off-site, with escorted delivery, timed road closures, and careful sequencing of work.

With only a small car park as the site compound, storage, crane operations, and contractor access needed meticulous planning. Moisture protection for the exposed structure was critical throughout, with temporary coverings installed until the new system could be sealed.

Garland UK Technical Manager Rob Wall specified the R-MER LOC standing seam metal system, designed for storm resilience, thermal efficiency, and long service life in marine climates. Its penetration-free, zip-free seam design enabled faster installation and allowed for thermal movement without panel distortion.

The system was tailored to the building’s complex geometry, with 22 metre top sheet runs and 18 metre lower runs. Approved contractor, Future Roof Leeds, carried out the works, reusing the existing perforated aluminium liner where possible to reduce waste and disruption.

A high-performance, foil-lined vapour control layer was installed, along with upgraded insulation and a breather membrane suitable for coastal exposure. Acoustic infills were also integrated to maintain internal sound control, enhancing the original system’s acoustic performance.

The 1,200 sqm roofing system was completed on time and within budget, restoring full functionality to SC2 Water Park and preventing further loss of income. Garland UK’s Roof Asset Management Programme (RAMP) now provides the Council with a complete digital record of the project, including inspection reports, guarantees, and maintenance guidance, giving estates teams full visibility for ongoing asset care.

Covered by a 30 year Single-Point Guarantee for design, materials, and workmanship, the Council has complete assurance that any issues will be resolved swiftly, without dispute or additional cost.

The reopening of SC2 Water Park has reinstated a much-loved leisure venue for residents and visitors, supporting local wellbeing, tourism, and economic activity. The storm-resilient design means fewer disruptions and reduced maintenance, and reliable year-round availability, even in challenging weather.

Robin Jones, Senior Building Surveyor at Denbighshire County Council, commented,

“The level of service from Garland UK has been first-class from start to finish. Rob and the team gave us confidence at every stage, from design to handover. The quality of the roof and the management of such a tricky site exceeded our expectations.”

Rob Wall, Technical Manager at Garland UK, added,

“This was a demanding brief in a harsh environment. The combination of curved geometry, extreme sheet lengths and complex logistics called for precision planning and strong collaboration. We’re proud to have supported the Council in getting this key venue back up and running.”