Write a commentNewry-based mac-group has secured a £11m contract to refurbish Belfast’s River House into premium grade A office space. The project will support 160 jobs throughout the construction phase.
The specialist firm is a contractor in the construction, refurbishment and fit-out of office space and commercial buildings. Established in 2002, it currently has offices in Newry, Dublin, London and Birmingham.
River House on High Street is owned by Castleforge Partners, a property investor and developer based in London.
The 14-storey office block will be transformed into 90,000 sq ft of retail and top-end office space. Work being carried out includes internal core demolition, structural reinforcements, new seamless glass curtain walling, high speed lifts, double height reception areas and new raised floors and ceilings.
The fit out has already begun by mac-interiors the specialist interiors division of mac-group and is set to be completed in May 2018.
In a first for Northern Ireland, five floors of River House will be dedicated to SME and start-up businesses. Clockwise aims to support start-ups and medium-sized businesses by offering meeting rooms, hot desks and shared working space. As companies grow, they can let additional office space within the building. The concept has proved hugely successful in other parts of the UK, having recently being introduced at Glasgow’s Savoy Tower, which is also owned by Castleforge Partners.
Brendan Moley Group Interiors Director of mac-group, said: “This is a major project in the office sector in Northern Ireland and signals a major vote of confidence in the Belfast market. We anticipate that the project will take 65 weeks to complete and we are well on course for our target completion date of May 2018.
“The Clockwise concept has proven popular across the UK and is an exciting addition to the Belfast property landscape. It provides an environment for small businesses to grow at their own pace, safe in the knowledge that they have the facilities to expand when the time is right.”
Looking ahead, Mr Moley said: “Traditionally, a small percentage of our work has been in Northern Ireland but we are seeing a real buzz and upturn in confidence in Belfast. We have secured some significant contracts for the next 18 months in Belfast and there is no sign of work slowing down.”
For more please visit: www.mac-group.com
