Business

McAleer & Rushe tops out on new government building in Edinburgh

Pictured is Neil Richardson, commercial director at government property agency, Michael Yohanis, McAleer and Rushe, Clive Wilding, Artisan's project director and Julie McHugh, Edinburgh regional implementation lead.
Pictured is Neil Richardson, commercial director at government property agency, Michael Yohanis, McAleer and Rushe, Clive Wilding, Artisan's project director and Julie McHugh, Edinburgh regional implementation lead. Pictured is Neil Richardson, commercial director at government property agency, Michael Yohanis, McAleer and Rushe, Clive Wilding, Artisan's project director and Julie McHugh, Edinburgh regional implementation lead.

CO Tyrone building firm McAleer & Rush is set to develop a new UK government hub in Edinburgh’s old town that will see the relocation of 2,900 civil service jobs by 2020.

The project to transform a UNESCO heritage site into a modern grade A office space in New Waverley is on target to be completed by summer 2019.

The seven-level development consists of two interlinked office buildings that will provide almost 200,000 square feet of space.

The building's significantly large concrete frame is composed of 15,000 cubic metres of concrete, all of which was poured on site.

To reflect the unique heritage and environment of the building's immediate surroundings, the completed project will be clad in high quality Stanton Moor buff sandstone.

Edinburgh’s New Waverley is a £200m development delivered by Artisan Real Estate investors to restore life to the area.

Shane McCullagh, contracts director from McAleer & Rushe, said: “This strategically important landmark building provides a spectacular focal point and destination for the wider New Waverley development.

"It’s a challenging development to complete, especially considering its unique location at the heart of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage site, but one that is being delivered on time, on budget and with the highest safety standards."

He added: “Now that we have ‘topped out’ the office buildings, the true mass, vision and scope of the entire New Waverley master-plan is now apparent, and it’s a fitting testament to our team on site and the whole development team that so much has been achieved in a relatively short time-scale."

Artisan’s project director Clive Wilding said: “Bringing the UK government hub right into the historic heart of Edinburgh is a ringing endorsement for what we are building here – not just for New Waverley, but for the city of Edinburgh and for Scotland.

“It sends out an important message that our city centres have the interest, value and capacity to attract investment from the very best employers, setting an important precedent for Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland.”

He added: “For New Waverley, it’s another significant step of our journey to restore life, vitality and energy to this very special part of Edinburgh’s historic city centre, and will be a natural fit for the exciting and vibrant mixed-use community we are creating here”.