Dakota Hotel

Dakota Hotel Manchester Airport is a flagship hospitality development designed by KPP Architects, with a bold façade that reflects the established Dakota brand. A consistent, high-quality appearance was essential across the building, requiring careful coordination of the brickwork and support systems.

IG Masonry Support worked closely with GMI Construction Group and Kinlan Brickwork from the early design stages to develop a masonry support and prefabricated brick slip system package that could respond to the architectural requirements.

IG Masonry Support supplied 262m of Welded Masonry Support – including 19m of Welded Reveal Returns – across levels 1 to 6, 104m of B.O.S.S. A1 (Brick on Soffit System) across ground and upper levels, and 379m of Brick Slip Cavity Tray Lintels across all floors. The prefabricated brick slip systems utilised the distinctive La Paloma Cerámicas Lanzarote Black brick chosen for the project.

Each system was designed to accommodate large cavities, varying opening sizes and changes to the brick bond pattern, while supporting the project’s fast-paced construction programme.

A key challenge on the Dakota Hotel project was designing the Welded Masonry Support to accommodate large cavities and deep drops while controlling deflection, all while working around vents and openings.

The range of non-standard opening sizes added further complexity, as many did not align with standard brick dimensions. This made it essential that the B.O.S.S. A1 and Brick Slip Cavity Tray Lintels were designed to maintain correct brick coursing and bond pattern around each opening.

The specified La Paloma Cerámicas Lanzarote Black brick introduced an additional challenge during cutting, owing to its dark colouring and brittle glazed finish.

To support the large cavities and deep drops, IG Masonry Support developed bespoke Welded Masonry Support systems with a double shelf design, providing support at both slab and brickwork level. This reduced deflection while maintaining practical, structurally sound bracket spacing.

For the non-standard openings, IG Masonry Support carried out detailed setting-out and pre-coursing surveys across the façade elevations, establishing precise coursing datums relative to each opening. The B.O.S.S. A1 and Brick Slip Cavity Tray Lintels were coordinated to the specified brick bond, coursing height, and opening tolerances, maintaining dimensional accuracy and consistent joint widths throughout. The Brick Slip Cavity Tray Lintels also combined brickwork support above openings with the required cavity tray detailing, integrating the brick slip finish with the lintel to deliver a clean external appearance alongside effective cavity drainage.

To preserve the appearance of the La Paloma Cerámicas Lanzarote Black brick, the B.O.S.S. A1 units were designed to use the brick’s natural face rather than exposed cut faces, achieving a consistent finish in keeping with the premium Dakota brand aesthetic.

Early involvement and close coordination with GMI Construction Group and Kinlan Brickwork enabled IG Masonry Support to deliver a consistent brick façade while responding to evolving design requirements and challenging cavity conditions.