Boutique Hotel in Newcastle boasts stunning entrance landscaping
Overlooking the River Tyne, the Dakota Newcastle opened on Saturday 29 March 2025. The 118-room boutique hotel is sixth in a series of exclusive hotels in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and EuroCentral (Glasgow).
Landscape contractor collaboration
Working with long term collaborators Evans Property Group, KPP Architects and GMI Construction, J Paxman Landscapes were subcontracted to plan, source and deliver the soft landscaping across the entrance, flanks and courtyard on the approach to the Hotel. With breath-taking views of the River Tyne, the planting standard to its exterior had to reflect the prestigious nature of the building and its clientele.
Expert delivery of the planting plan
Working closely with architects and landscape designers PWP Design, the J Paxman Landscapes soft landscaping team managed deliveries and handling of the large trees, nursery stock and the fabrication of 30 steel powder-coated planters to specification. The planting formed an integral part of the entrance and walkways, with raised planters, block feature planters, evergreen hedging at low and mid-levels and specimen topiary.
The soft landscaping entailed:
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- Steel planters
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- Delivery and placement
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- Levelling and ground preparation
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- Planning and scheduling
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- Semi-mature tree handling
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- Soil and mulching
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- Peripheral planting
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- Ornamental shrubs and planters
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- Mid-level evergreen hedging
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- Box column entrance impact
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- Birch multi-stems
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- Crisp, clean lines
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- Beech boxed columns
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- Elegance and visual impact
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- Foliage and form
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- Meticulous detail
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- Beds prepped and planted
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- Tree uplighters
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- Low level lighting
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- …come inside
The stars of the show: The Plants
From the Betula utilis var. jacquemontii multi-stemmed doormen greeting you, to the eight Carpinus betulus sentries – 16/18cm girth and clipped into box head columns, each with their own planter, every element of the planting scheme has been painstakingly prepped, handled, trimmed and placed. The topiary taxus partners with the Ilex crenata Dark Green instant hedging at low and mid-levels to create the borders and act as both waymarkers and ground cover beneath the sculptures and box planters.
Over 400 allium bulbs will partner with herbaceous favourites which will show in the Spring, including Salvia and Carex grasses for form, foliage and colour contrasts. Hebe, skimmia and viburnum fill the beds alongside the clipped balls and domes of the Ilex crenata feature shrubs.
Prestigious landscape, delivered
J Paxman Landscapes were able to complete the scheme in good time for the launch event and will return to see the plants come into full flourish as Spring awakens.
