Minister reaches for the sky at Obel building

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has paid tribute to the modern construction methods being employed on key projects across Northern Ireland.

He was speaking as he toured the site of the £75million Obel project at Donegall Quay in Belfast. The building, situated beside the M3 flyover, will be the tallest building on the island of Ireland when it is completed later this year. Construction on the site has seen the use of several new methods of construction that have increased significantly the pace of construction, while at the same time cutting costs.

Speaking during his visit, the Minister said: "The Obel project demonstrates the advances in the capabilities of the construction industry in Northern Ireland. It comprises three buildings, the tallest of which is 28 storeys, approximately 88 metres high.

"The building, when finished, will provide over a quarter of a million square feet of floor area, split across 282 apartments, office and retail space. The views from the top of Belfast and beyond, are breathtaking and the whole project exemplifies the skill and talent of our local construction industry."

Obel was chosen last year as one of four Constructing Excellence NI (CEni) Demonstration Projects in Northern Ireland due to the fact it employs innovative methods of construction. These include the use of post tensioning concrete floors, that are thinner and stronger than traditional floors, and the use of a mono-rail system to install pre-fabricated external wall panels.

The Minister continued: "The Constructing Excellence Demonstration Projects are enabling the construction sector in Northern Ireland to learn from a number of innovative practices that have developed across the industry.

"The use of the mono-rail system on the Obel building, for example, allows construction to continue during poor weather, helping to keep construction on time and within budget. This system has enabled the external cladding to proceed at the pace of one panel every 15 minutes, a major improvement over more traditional methods.

"This is the type of expertise that is helping local firms bid for and win contracts across public and private sectors, both in Northern Ireland and further afield."

The Obel Tower is being jointly developed by the Karl Group and Donegall Quay Properties and the main contractor is O’Hare and McGovern Limited. It is one of four CEni Demonstration Projects; the others being at Banbridge Academy, the Royal Victoria Hospital – Phase 2B and a bundle of school building projects in the Belfast Education and Library Board area.

Notes to editors:

1. Constructing Excellence in Northern Ireland (CEni) is a centre of professional construction expertise based at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. It supports all sectors of the construction industry in the pursuit of excellence. ‘Constructing Excellence’ is the banner under which the construction industry, its clients and government are working to improve UK construction performance. It aims to showcase innovations in both products and performance and to highlight best practice. It also seeks to encourage the industry and its clients to adopt the principles of Constructing Excellence to their mutual benefit.

2. The four demonstration projects are:

McLaughlin & Harvey – Royal Victoria Hospital Phase 2B for Sustainability and Design Quality. The Royal Victoria Hospital Phase 2B will deliver a truly sustainable building project containing innovative construction processes and design with world class healthcare provision. This project will be an exemplar for sustainable design and construction throughout the UK.

Belfast Education & Library Board – Strategic Partnering Projects for Client Leadership & Integration in Procurement. This project has delivered state of the art accommodation and facilities management services for many of the schools and associated buildings under BELB control. This major modernisation of Belfast Schools Estate and provision of exceptional learning facilities will allow BELB to fully meet its objectives in improving further the standard of education in schools.

John Graham (Dromore) Ltd – Banbridge Academy for Health & Safety. The Banbridge Academy new build and refurbishment project is paving the way for innovations in Health & Safety Excellence. The combination of management driven processes and behavioural based safety strategies is driving a cultural revolution in site based health & safety.

O’Hare & McGovern – The Obel Tower for Design Quality in using Modern Methods of Construction in Ireland’s tallest skyscraper. The Obel Tower is a landmark building rising majestically from Belfast’s Donegall Quay. Standing at the gateway to the city the iconic glass structure is a symbol of Belfast’s regeneration.

3. Further information on the CEni Demonstration Projects is available from http://www.constructingexcellence.ulster.ac.uk

4. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7278 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

5. Photo's of Minister Wilson's visit to the Obel building are available on request by contacting the DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7378.