PROJECT PROFILE
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST SOCIAL HUB
EARLY CONTRACTOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SPECIALISTS AND EFFECTIVE PROCUREMENT ENSURED ALL PACKAGES WERE CO-ORDINATED AND COMPLETED ON TIME AND TO A HIGH STANDARD… KILLOWEN CONTRACTS CREATES AN ENGAGING SOCIAL SPACE FOR STUDENTS AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
A former bar has been transformed into a vibrant new social space for students and the wider community, marking the latest successful partnership between Killowen Contracts Ltd and Queen’s University Belfast. Having previously worked with the university to deliver prestigious projects such as Elms Treehouse and Elms Sycamore Park, the Burren- based business was appointed as main contractor for the £1.1m refurbishment of The Speakeasy Union Bar on Belfast’s Lisburn Road. The Speakeasy was opened in 2018 as a temporary location for Queen’s Students
Union in the run up to its demolition but has been closed since the new One Elmwood Student Centre was completed in 2022. This project is part of the university’s strategic plan to modernise facilities, create more engaging social spaces for students and foster a sense of community on campus. A quick turnaround saw work on the significant renovation and fit-out project commence in October 2023 and reach completion in March 2024. As main contractor, Killowen Contracts delivered a £750,000 programme of works encompassing significant reconfiguration and remodelling of the
ground and first floors of the building, including a full fit-out and specialist M&E works. Transforming the space to house board games, arcades, video games and eSports, works included graffiti artistry, flooring, furniture, network cabling, lighting and audio-visual. Facing a tight deadline of 18 weeks to deliver the project, Killowen Contracts brought its management skills to the fore. Ryan Treanor, Quantity Surveyor at Killowen Contracts, said, “This involved early contractor engagement with specialists and effective procurement to ensure all packages were co-ordinated
“We are proud to have Queen’s as a key client and look forward to working with them on future opportunities.”
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