Graham has been awarded a major £13 million regeneration project for Newtownabbey Borough Council Offices at Mossley Mill, County Antrim.
The 7000m2 project will see the restoration of the currently derelict 19th Century four-storey Mill building and the construction of a new Civic Arts and Cultural Centre in the Mill courtyard.
This latest phase of the overall regeneration of the landmark site will create facilities for a variety of civic and community activities for all members of the community from drama to art to local history. The scheme will also include state-of-the-art conference amenities and additional office space for Newtownabbey Borough Council employees.
At a ceremony marking the announcement of the project, Ron Clarke, Operations Director, Graham, said:
“We are honoured to be involved in this prestigious project. This project is a prime example of Graham’s further involvement within the public sector market and we are pleased to be working alongside Newtownabbey Borough Council on a scheme that will benefit a large section of the Newtownabbey community. We look forward to a challenging, and rewarding project for all concerned.”
Speaking about the contemporary design of the new Civic Centre and the contrast with its surroundings, architect Ken Geary of Ostick and Williams said
‘In recent years we have worked with the Council to design a Master plan for the regeneration of Mossley Mill into a vibrant and sustainable civic and community complex. We are now delighted to be leading a design team of specialist consultants with a shared aim of creating a blend of best quality contemporary design, careful restoration of the 19th century mill buildings and sensitively detailed external landscaped spaces.’
This prestigious £13m project is the latest in a long line of landmark Northern Irish buildings to undergo a renaissance and will take 18 months to complete.
Nigel Hamilton, Mayor of Newtownabbey Borough Council was extremely enthusiastic about the project and how it would benefit the local community, stating
“The completion of the Mossley Mill site is not only a significant development in its own right but particularly so in 2008 when we celebrate Newtownabbey’s 50th Anniversary. It’s important that buildings such as Mossley Mill that remind us so much of our industrial heritage are not lost to the community.’’
Pictured L to R are Left to Right: Keith Barclay (Project Planner), Bert McCulloch (Contracts Director) both Graham,
Norman Dunne, (Chief Executive) Newtownabbey Borough Council, Ken Geary (Director) Ostick and Williams, Alderman Nigel Hamilton, Mayor of Newtownabbey, Ron Clarke (Operations Director) Graham, Terri Donegan (Project Architect) Ostick and Williams, David Cunningham (Project Manager) Graham, Alderman Victor Robinson, Deputy Mayor of Newtownabbey, Kirsty Bell, Shadow Youth Mayor, Ed Boal (Project Manager) Bruce Shaw Partnership.