NEWS
Two longstanding branch managers, Alan McLean at MacBlair Ballymoney and Billy McAuley at MacBlair Bangor, have been honoured with surprise presentations at their respective branches in September. Both events, attended by Macnaughton Blair CEO Karol McGuckin, celebrated four decades of dedicated service. The teams at Ballymoney and Bangor expressed their sincere thanks to their colleagues and wished them many more successful years. Karol said, “Alan’s and Billy’s achievements are absolutely fantastic. They have experienced a lot over the years, both the good and the bad. They have built great teams and developed the business to the high level it is today. The senior management is very grateful for their contributions, and I know their teams are as well. On behalf of the company, congratulations Alan and Billy, and thank you very much.” www.macblair.com TWO MACBLAIR BRANCH MANAGERS CELEBRATE MILESTONE 40 YEARS OF SERVICE
L-R: Michael Johnston, Partner at Johnston Houston, Kenneth Wood, Partner & MD at Drees & Sommer UK, and Kerr Houston, Partner at Johnston Houston.
NI BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY ACQUIRED BY UK FIRM
Belfast-based building and construction consultancy Johnston Houston has been acquired by Drees & Sommer UK Ltd. A private partnership founded by Michael Johnston and Kerr Houston in 2007, Johnston Houston employs a 25-strong team of building surveyors, cost consultants and project managers, all of whom will join Drees & Sommer after the strategic merger. Drees & Sommer is a worldwide, partner-managed team of over 6,000 employees across 63 offices. With experts across local, national and international real estate, industrial, energy and infrastructure sectors,
Drees & Sommer is a European market leader in delivering strategic advice and consultancy to the built environment. Johnston Houston will continue to develop its portfolio as Johnston Houston – Part of Drees & Sommer, under the leadership of current partners Michael Johnston and Kerr Houston for 12 months, before officially rebranding to Drees & Sommer. Michael Johnston, Partner at Johnston Houston, said, “Our combined expertise and resources will allow us to deliver even greater value to our clients while maintaining the personal and proactive service they have come to expect.” www.dreso.uk
PLANNING APPROVAL GRANTED FOR TITANIC QUARTER STUDENT VILLAGE
Titanic Quarter Student Village has received planning approval from Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee. A joint development venture between UK developer Watkin Jones and Holywood-based Lacuna Developments, the proposals will regenerate a vacant industrial site to deliver high-quality, sustainable accommodation for 1,007 students. Designed by Belfast-based architects, Todd architects, the new student village
Artist’s impression of the proposed Titanic Quarter Student Village.
Alan McLean, centre, with Karol McGuckin, second right, and the MacBlair Ballymoney team.
development was supported during the planning and engagement processes by planning and development consultancy Turley. It will target a BREEAM Excellent rating, with rooftop solar panels, carbon-free heating using air-source heat pumps and heat recovery units, and rainwater recovery systems. Alongside modern studio bedrooms and cluster flats, proposals include a café, shared lounges, dining areas, games rooms, study spaces, launderettes and gyms. The Student Village is the second proposed investment in Titanic Quarter by the joint venture, which sold the Loft Lines, a BTR development, to Legal & General and Clanmil Housing last year. www.lacunadevelopments.com
L-R: Patrick Carroll, Billy McAuley and Karol McGuckin.
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