Local firm working on Merchant Square scheme

Gilbert-Ash has begun work on a fit-out of two office buildings in the centre of Belfast鈥檚 business district for developer Oakland Holdings.

The 拢14m project at Merchant Square will see the creation 200,000sq ft of office space over nine floors at the former Oyster and Royston buildings, close to the capital鈥檚 City Hall.

The offices, which are being let by PricewaterhouseCoopers, will house up to 3,000 employees when complete.

Ray Hutchinson, Managing Director of Gilbert-Ash, stands in front of Merchant Square (1)

Ray Hutchinson in front of Merchant Square

The project team on the wider scheme includes main contractor Felix O鈥橦are & Co, architect Like Architects and planning consultant Turley.

Gilbert-Ash managing director Ray Hutchinson said that the office interiors include nods to Belfast鈥檚 ship building and aviation industries, as well as the city鈥檚 history as a centre of the linen industry.

The firm鈥檚 appointment follows the completion in June this year of its 拢5m headquarters at Boucher Place in Belfast, which was designed by local practice Calico Architects.

Topics