Hilton will build a hotel in Silverstone
As part of its development project, Silverstone has signed an agreement with Hilton to build a hotel. It is expected to open in 2020.
The hotel project at Silverstone has existed for several years. But while there had been many discussions, few advancements could be reported. This is now a done deal, with an agreement made with Hilton.
The BRDC, the owner of the British circuit, has thus provided more details about the project, announcing that the said hotel would enjoy an exceptional location as it will be situated on the starting straight, right opposite its iconic building, The Wing.
This means that the stands currently in place will be significantly reduced to provide the best possible view from the hotel’s rooms, which will be converted into a reception area during race weekends. It can be assumed that VIPs will then be able to see the tire changes as the pit lane has been dug out and is located below the track. Current spectators are not able to witness this crucial moment.
Stuart Pringle, the managing director of the circuit, justified this investment as follows: « Silverstone welcomes 1.5 million spectators every year. We anticipate this number will rise to two million by 2020. The Silverstone Experience, a new attraction which will celebrate the past, present, and future of the circuit and British motorsport, will open in spring 2019. Combined with our conference and exhibition center, this has led to an increased need for providing hotel facilities at the circuit. »
This is not the first time a circuit has established a hotel along its course, as this is the strategy chosen by the Nurburgring. The German circuit even went further by creating an entire shopping center and amusement park along the pit straight. However, this project was never profitable, which led to the circuit’s bankruptcy. As a result, it is no longer able to fulfill its part of the contract, which required alternating between Hockenheim and the Nurburgring for hosting the German Grand Prix.
However, the announcement from Silverstone comes in a context where the circuit has deliberately decided to break its contract with F1 at the end of the 2019 season. It is hard to imagine that the circuit would want to enhance its facilities while losing one of its flagship events on the calendar. Therefore, one might imagine that a new agreement will be reached quickly to secure the presence of the sport where it was invented, in 1950.
With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr
