British
Council for Offices (BCO) recently hosted a Talk & Tour at City Quays 3, Belfast Harbour’s most recent
development project and the largest Grade A office development in the city.
Designed by
Belfast-based RPP Architects Ltd, City Quays 3 comprises 250,000 sq.
ft. of highly sustainable commercial space over 16 storeys, with views to the
inner harbour and city centre.
Northern
Ireland’s Farrans Construction completed the BREEAM ‘Excellent’
building, which is part of the broader City Quays regeneration scheme – a £275
million, office-led project located on former docklands within Belfast city
centre.
The three
new City Quays buildings represent Belfast Harbour’s response to ongoing demand
by inward investors and local firms for new Grade A office space in Belfast.
City Quays 3
is now home to global blue-chip businesses and local companies, which have
access to collaboration and client interface spaces, plus on-floor terrace
areas.
The BCO
Northern Ireland Talk & Tour was hosted by Tim Boyle, Development Manager
for Belfast Harbour, alongside Harry McConnell, Director of RPP Architects.
Following a
welcome by Ruairi Dempsey, MEP director for HDR and BCO Northern Ireland
Committee chairperson, Tim and Harry offered guests an in-depth look at the
building, including its design features and sustainability credentials.
Attendees
were then given guided tours of spaces occupied by two high-profile companies:
global bank, Investec and life sciences company, B-Secur.
The tour
showcased the fit-outs and high specification finishes that capture the
corporate identity of each tenant, with guests enjoying the magnificent views
of Belfast’s key landmarks both within the city and surrounding area.
Ruairi Dempsey, BCO
Northern Ireland Committee chairperson, commented: “In the wake of the emergence of a functioning executive in Stormont,
the commercial office market in Northern Ireland continues to develop and offer
best-in-class office spaces, which can be seen in the quality of development
and fit-out demonstrated in City Quays 3.
“Northern Ireland requires a nuanced
and unique approach to development, and the strong leadership clearly
demonstrated by Belfast Harbour, coupled with the intimate local knowledge of
their team is showing others the way forward.
“Developing dynamic and resilient
businesses coupled with attracting and retaining global players to our shores
is a key aspiration in our development as an economy. Providing employers and
organisations with high performing, low-energy and sustainable Grade A
workplaces, whether through new development or retrofit of existing buildings,
is a key part of this aspiration.”
Tim Boyle added: “We’d like to thank all attendees for joining us on tour of City Quays 3,
a flagship development at the heart of Belfast Harbour’s regeneration into a
place where global companies can call home.
“The fact that City Quays 3 is over
50% let – well above market norms – demonstrates the continued relevance of
commercial space of this kind to local and FDI occupiers. We invite prospective
occupiers to contact us for more information.
“Many thanks to our hosts, Investec
and B-Secur, as well as Rhianna Harrup from the BCO events teams for her
support in arranging the tour and on the day.”
The BCO
Northern Ireland Talk & Tour event was sponsored by Belfast Harbour
Commissioners and RPP Architects Ltd.
The next BCO Northern Ireland event is a NextGen
quiz to be held in
the Gallagher Lounge (above the Duke of York pub) in Belfast on 30 May 2024, in
partnership with RICS. Although focused on bringing together the next
generation of leaders, innovators, experts and industry leaders, it is open to
all. The committee and local membership would very much like to welcome you
there.
British
Council for Offices researches, develops and communicates best practice in all
aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the
discussion and debate of relevant issues. Membership is drawn from those who
occupy office space, and those professional organisations and people who
design, build, and manage office space. For more information on becoming a BCO
member, visit this page.
