Leading Design & Build Contractor McAleer & Rushe has been shortlisted in the coveted 2024 CEF Construction Excellence Awards.
To be held at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast on Thursday 3rd October and hosted by TV presenter and journalist Phil Spencer, the CEF Awards are Northern Ireland’s premier construction event. Celebrating over 20 years of industry achievements, the awards highlight the significant contributions of the local construction sector to the economy and society.
The shortlisted projects are as follows:
- Multiple Occupancy Project of The Year: Bruce Street, Belfast
- GB & ROI General Construction Project of the Year award (above £5m): Exchange Square Phase 2, Birmingham
Bruce Street, Belfast
Bruce Street, an exceptional student accommodation scheme developed by MRP and constructed by McAleer & Rushe, provides 269 beautifully designed ensuite studio apartments in the heart of Belfast.
Achieving full occupancy upon opening its doors in 2023 and representing Vita Student’s first venture in Northern Ireland, it not only raises the bar of student living, but significantly enhances urban living within Belfast city centre.
The 15-storey building features extensive amenities, including a rooftop terrace with panoramic views, large hub spaces, private study and dining rooms, and a fully equipped gym, creating an environment that enhances the student experience by addressing wellbeing, learning, and social/community aspects. The carefully chosen Ibstock Chester Red Blend brick façade, consisting of 216,000 traditional bricks, pays homage to the rich architectural heritage of the surrounding Victorian warehouses.
Through innovative design, construction and supply chain efficiencies, the project was delivered within a remarkable 18-month delivery programme, with completion successfully achieved in time for the 2023/24 student intake.
Exchange Square 2, Birmingham
Located to face the future HS2 station, The Silver Yard at Exchange Square Phase 2 is a landmark high-rise residential project exemplifying precision engineering, innovation and exceptional quality.
Completed in February 2024, the project delivers 375 Build to Rent Grainger apartments within a 37-storey tower, along with retail units, parking, and a vibrant public square. As part of Phase 2, McAleer & Rushe also constructed a 235-bed Premier Inn hotel, completed in February 2023.
The project seamlessly blends innovative construction methods with carefully chosen materials to create an exceptional living environment. These included adjusting the critical path of the concrete frame and precast façade installation works into two phases, reducing the overall installation programme by almost half and accelerating the internal finishes critical path. The main concrete lift and staircore were also slipped ahead of the superstructure, thus derisking and reducing turnaround by three days per floor.
