Following years in the works at Chester Zoo, it’s finally been revealed that the popular zoo plans to go ahead with its grassland lodges, which were previously delayed by the Coronavirus pandemic, finally starting the building works in March 2023.
Consisting of 51 stunning luxury lodges which will bring together a range of different African habitats – from bushland wildlife to rich plains – guests will get to enjoy the highly unique accommodation right next to the park attraction, which is home to thousands of rare and endangered animals.
Councillors previously approved the Grasslands development at a planning meeting back in 2019, and now, Chester Zoo got the final approval in May, 2024. Plans include 51 lodges all surrounding an open body of water, alongside a restaurant, bar and wildlife pond, fitting with Chester Zoo’s conservation ethos.
The Grasslands centrepiece – a large, open savannah – will be home to multiple rare and endangered species including Rothschild’s giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, ostrich and antelope, all living alongside one another.
The space will also be home to giraffes, who will be welcome to graze and wander within the savannah-style habitat. Guests will be lucky enough to watch as they go about their day, while two of the lodges will have their own private feeding and viewing zone, away from the other guests. An additional feeding paddock will be open to all guests at Chester Zoo Grasslands.
The design and access statement, complied by Gillespies and Buttress and executed by contractor Starship, mentions efforts to promote sustainable efforts using modular technology: “By prioritising low-carbon construction methods and innovative design solutions, we aim to set new benchmarks for sustainability within the leisure and tourism sector.”
What is more, each lodge is set to have its own heat pump and be partially powered by solar panels.
Dave Dargan, CEO of Starship, said: “The new savannah-inspired lodges in the new Heart of Africa development will provide a unique opportunity to connect people to nature like never before through close-up experiences, exploring an array of wildlife, and waking up to sunrise at Chester Zoo.
“This is another great project that will showcase the unrivalled bespoke offering that we have to the accommodation market.”
The new restaurant will seat 120, with gorgeous first-floor views overlooking the savannah and the giraffes.
It’s unclear when work will begin, however, plans reveal that Chester Zoo aims to open the lodges sometime in the summer of 2025.