COMPANY NEWS
FELIX 0’HARE’S MERCHANT SQUARE PROJECT IS SHORTLISTED TWICE IN NATIONAL UK RICS AWARDS… Merchant Square up for two awards in RICS UK Final
Photos: Rory Moore.
F elix O’Hare & Co Ltd is hoping to add to its already bulging awards bag in the RICS UK national Finals this October. The Newry firm nominated its flagship Merchant Square project for the Commercial and Refurbishment/ Revitalisation Project categories in the regional heats – winning both awards back in May. The project will now go up against the best of the rest of UK regional winners with the results announced at the Grand Final held in London on October 21. Commenting on the RICS awards, Damian Gill, Managing Director said, “Felix O’Hare is delighted to have Merchant Square pick up the regional award for both Commercial and Refurbishment/ Revitalisation categories. Delivered within the heart of Belfast, Merchant Square has been completely transformed, becoming one of the city’s iconic, catalyst structures both functionally and architecturally. “Initially three separate, 7- and 8-storey buildings comprising of Oyster House,
Ferguson House and Royston House, the scheme required each building to be stripped back to their core and meticulously stitched back together to form one cohesive 260,000 sq.ft Grade A office space.” The revisited Merchant Square provides a distinct identity augmenting the existing urban frontages; the use of Corten steel cladding resonates with the city’s industrial heritage and draws inspiration from the red and orange hues of Belfast’s brickwork. Delivered within Belfast 1, the project was technically challenging with over 250 piles and 1000 tonne of steel installed. Completed during the pandemic, Merchant Square lead the redevelopment of the Linen Quarter and uplifted the area. Judges agreed the Merchant Square was a worthy winner in the NI Commercial category with Felix O’Hare ably
overcoming complex construction issues while tenants were still in place and delivering a building with strong sustainability credentials. Judges in the Refurbishment/ Revitalisation Project described Felix O’Hare’s project as a “fabulous achievement,” creating a substantial Grade A office complex over retail units while remaining open for business throughout, on a busy city centre thoroughfare. They also praised the BREEAM Excellent rating achieved on this refurbishment scheme.
T: +44 (0)28 3026 1134 E: admin@felixohare.com www.felixohare.com
“Merchant Square has been completely transformed, becoming one of the city’s iconic, catalyst structures.”
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