Graham has been awarded a £4.5m contract by Northern Ireland based investor and developer, Magell Limited, for the refurbishment of Eagle Star House in Belfast
Due to open for business in early 2020, Eagle Star House’s transformation will be followed by that of Beaufort House on Wellington Place, also owned by Magell Limited, establishing the company as the largest supplier of flexible workspace in NI.
The entire project is expected to cost in the region of £5.5m once complete. Graham will complete both exterior and interior works, converting the iconic building on Upper Queen Street into flexible, design-led workspace with more than 500 desks spread over 30,000 sq. ft.
Stephen Johnston, Graham contracts director of interior fit-out, said: “Magell Limited has a clear vision to establish ‘a new excellence’ in flexible working in Belfast with a core objective of truly meeting the constantly evolving needs of businesses.
“Eagle Star House will house Belfast’s first truly design-led flexible workspace and the style and quality of the fit-out are key to achieving that.
“Graham is renowned across the UK and Ireland for the high standard of our work and attention to detail. This mirrors the values of Magell Limited and its aims for Eagle Star House, and we’re thrilled to be working with the team to establish a new generation of flexible workspace in Northern Ireland.”
Ryan Walker, director at Magell Limited which is a third-generation business run by the Walker family in Ballymena with commercial assets throughout the UK, said: “The way people want to work is continuing to change and businesses in Belfast want Grade A workspace to be more flexible and accessible. With a central location on Upper Queen Street we believe there is a fantastic opportunity to redefine workspace which facilitates real flexibility for growing businesses.
“We are also moving forward with plans to add Beaufort House on Wellington Place to our flexible workspace portfolio, which will further strengthen our offering within the Belfast market.
“Collectively, the buildings will facilitate more than 65,000 sq. ft. of flexible workspace, accommodating 1,100 desks. Providing members with not only a desk, but the space, facilities and community needed to connect and grow their business.
“The workspace will be finished to a specification not seen before in Belfast and following a competitive tender process Graham was identified as the partner that would help us realise this vision.”
Johnston Houston, Like Architects, Simpson & Crawford and Arup have also been appointed by Magell Limited with Jamie McCoubrey appointed to head up operations at the new business in Eagle Star House.
Jamie McCoubrey, director, said: “The workspace at Eagle Star House will rival anything currently available in cities such as Dublin or London and will propel Belfast as a leader in the market.
“We understand the changing needs of businesses and their employees and are passionate about providing space that allows members to do their work the way they want to whilst in comfortable, stylish surroundings.
“Our city-centre location will immediately tick many boxes for companies seeking flexible workspace, with our ability to be truly flexible really sealing the deal. Whether it’s one desk or five hundred required by an organisation, we can facilitate this all under one roof which is unique to Belfast.
“A varied events programme will be designed for members to encourage networking, wellness and the birth of a micro business community.”
