JERSEY residents have learned how cutting-edge big-build techniques are going to revolutionise construction in the Channel Islands. By using pre-cast sections, the six-floor 195-room Radisson Hotel in St Helier’s controversial Waterfront development is going up at the rate of a floor every 10 days.

Guernsey resident Peter Kaufman Kent is one of three private investors in the £60m. development and, with his wealth of experience in overseeing similar high-profile projects, has been a driving force.

He said such rapid building techniques were commonplace in the UK, but the Channel Islands made it a logistical challenge to bring in the heavy pre-fabricated sections.

But with the success of this project, he expected such builds to become routine.

Condor Logistics secured the freight contract and the development has taken up one third of all shiploads since December.

When opened next year, the four-star hotel is expected to be a major boost for Jersey tourism.

It will be the first internationally-branded one in the Channel Islands and Mr Kaufman Kent viewed it as an inter-island venture, with Guernsey’s profile as a holiday destination being boosted by association.

The workforce is made up of Jersey, Guernsey, French and UK staff.

Camerons, Guernsey-owned Garenne Group’s Jersey building firm, is the main contractor.

It is the sister company of R. G. Falla and group chief executive Andy Hall is seconding Guernsey staff to give them experience of the technique.

Mr Kaufman Kent founded his company, Ironbridge Estates, in the UK in 1969.

He has expertise in hotel development, shopping centres and marina redevelopments similar to Jersey’s Waterfront complex.

His company is now Guernsey-based and oversees high-profile construction projects across Europe utilising similar techniques.

Camerons has been on site for only six months and the major structure is complete.

‘We had 18 months of careful planning before we started and that is the key to success,’ said Mr Kaufman Kent.

Several Camerons staff were sent to work on building sites in the UK using similar techniques prior to starting the Waterfront project to learn the new skills.

‘This was very important and a great credit to Camerons staff that they accepted the need to learn.’

The two-wing building is made up of 761 pre-cast floor and wall panels individually weighing up to 12 tons.

They are moved into position with the highest crane ever erected in the Channel Islands which can lift that weight up to 40m.

The construction is also using prefabricated bathroom units.

Each is finished to the last detail and when lowered into place just need to be plumbed and wired.

Camerons commercial director Mark Burton said it saved an incredible amount of time and money.

‘Bathrooms are very labour intensive with a lot of work having to be done by a number of trades in a small space.’

Mr Kaufman Kent said the units were like big washing machines which came complete with all the piping and just needed to be plugged in.

Martin Potter, the project’s senior architect, said of all the hotels he had designed around the world, this was on by far the best site.

‘With a marina on one side and sea on the other and in such a central spot, it has it all and is just wonderful.’