Latest news with #HarcourtDevelopments
Extra.ie
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Home of the Year' judge Hugh Wallace still four-years behind on his own dream home renovation
Celebrity architect Hugh Wallace, who loves nothing more than poking around complete strangers home, is somewhat lacking when it comes to putting his home affairs in order as the property show presenter is a full four years behind renovating schedule on his new abode. Home of the Year head judge Hugh, bought a doer-upper in the heartland of Dublin City Centre some years back, and despite having a wealth of experience and a top notch construction team on speed dial, Hugh is surprisingly tardy when it comes to completing his own grand design. 'We are a teeny tiny bit over time, Hugh told 'Well four years over time to be precise. It's terrible, there's really no excuse for that,' said Hugh. 'It's being plastered at the moment, so we are planning on moving in at the end of August.' And once Hugh steps foot inside his dream home he has no grand designs on stepping foot outside his new front door. 'So once we're in I'm going to lock the door and never come out,' he joked. But Hugh may some excuse for being so behind on renovating his inner city pad, as he has just signed off on a mammoth project that will radically regenerate Waterford City. 'Waterford has all the essence of a fabulous town. You have the bridges, the Opera House and all of the magnificent infrastructure. But there is only one bridge into the town so the project was to interlink the city and make everything far more accessible. 'It's all very well having envisioned the finished project but there are so many drawings and redrawing to get to that point. On the Waterford project it was as well, well in excess of 100 designs.' Pic: Seán Dwyer 'We have to examine the minutiae of documents and then we work closely with other consultants and with Harcourt Developments,' Hugh told 'But I am enormously proud of the plans and can't wait to bring it to life.' The multi-million Waterford project is set to get underway next year. 'Work will begin in the first quarter next year. That's when the bridge is going in and there will be a new pedestrian bridge across the river. Then there will be the new bus station; that will be an integrated bus station, then there's the train station and cycleway. 'There's only that one bridge now, and soon all of a sudden, you'll have the pedestrian bridge coming right into the centre of town. And that's just fabulous,' said Hugh. As one of Ireland's most feted architects, Hugh has notched up a plethora of gongs for his etchings and sketches's But he told if he had his way, he would like to fashion himself as the Miranda Priestly of the Devil Wears Prada fame- of the architectural sphere. New Home of the Year judge Siobhan Lam (left) with Hugh Wallace and Amanda Bone. Pic: RTÉ 'My day job in Wallace Architects is very different to being on the telly. I like to take all the credit in the office,' said a modest Wallace. 'I wave my arms around, and I thoroughly enjoy it, and I like to give inspiration to clients,' he said. 'I love the waving your arms around and being creative. You know, putting out ideas and clients thinking about and saying, 'No, that doesn't work for me' , Or, 'yes that's fabulous',' he laughed. 'The creative genius who kind of likes delegates.' Home of the Year judge Hugh Wallace. Pic: RTÉ And the flamboyant Great House Revival presenter will be back on screens in the new year with another instalment of Home of the Year and another outing of The Great House Revival.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
First images of new Waterford bridge revealed as installation continues
With the arrival of the impressive Hebo 9 floating sheerleg crane and the four spans of the sustainable transport bridge earlier this week, it was anticipated that once the sheerleg and barges were derigged and mobilised, the lifting and installation of the bridge sections would proceed successfully on Wednesday. The installation operations on the river are being coordinated with the Port of Waterford and are dictated by tides and therefore are subject to change. The Hebo 9 sheerleg crane will lift each bridge section from its barge at Frank Cassin Wharf and transport it upstream to its installation position at the bridge. This process will be coordinated with the tidal cycle on the river. Temporary support frames that have been constructed in the river will initially support the sections pending their final integration into the permanent supporting piers. Safety is of paramount importance and the lifting operation has very precise safety protocols requiring very slow and methodical progress with constant checks and monitoring during the operation. The four lifts will be carried out over four days: Wednesday, May 21 – North Main Span (65m in length), Thursday, May 22 – South Main Span (65m in length), Friday, May 23 – North Approach span (35m in length), and Saturday, May 24 – South Approach span (35m in length) Bascule bridge Like Rice Bridge upstream, the sustainable transport bridge has an opening central span to allow river vessels to pass through, and smaller boats can pass underneath the bridge, subject to tides. The inclusion of this opening central span retains potential for future upstream river transport as well as opportunities for maritime events and festivals, including a possible return of the Tall Ships Festival. These types of vertical opening bridges are called 'bascule bridges', from the French term for a balance scale, and originated in medieval Europe as drawbridges to defend castles and towns. Whereas Rice Bridge is a 'single leaf' bascule bridge, which opens from one side of the central span, the new bridge is a 'double leaf' bascule bridge, which opens from both sides of the central span. Once the bridge is installed, the bascule leaves for the opening central span will be tested and put into operation, the bridge finishing works, which includes the final surfacing, lighting, street furniture, and parapet railings, will commence as well as the installation of the downstream bridge pier protection system. The fast-tracking of integration works as part of construction of the strategic development zone (SDZ) by Harcourt Developments will facilitate the opening of the bridge to the public in the last three months of 2026. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The bridge superstructure weighs over 1,000 tonnes, roughly the equivalent of the weight of three Boeing 747 jets laden with fuel on take-off. The bridge is being transported and installed in four sections. The heaviest section is over 500 tonnes, roughly equivalent to the weight of one Boeing 747. The bridge sections will be lifted into position by the HEBO 9 floating sheerleg crane from Rotterdam. This crane has a lifting capacity of 800 tonnes and a lifting height of 67m, which is similar to a 20-storey building. At 207m, the bridge will be one of the longest city centre pedestrian river crossings in Ireland. The Sean O'Casey Bridge in Dublin, which also has a central opening span is 98m long. The new Athlone greenway bridge that crosses the Shannon is 104m long. The steel deck is painted with a light grey matt finish. The advice to onlookers is to remember that this is a construction operation without precedent in Waterford. The best public vantage point is William Vincent Wallace Plaza, directly overlooking the River Suir and bridge alignment. This location is safe, central, and accessible, with clear views of barge movements, crane lifts, and installation activities. Only designated, approved drone operators are permitted to fly in this zone during the sustainable transport bridge installation window. Installation is not a single 'big lift'. It will take four days to complete so there are plenty of opportunities to view the process. Please do not enter active work zones, wharves, or construction areas, added a spokesperson.
BreakingNews.ie
12-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
New Waterford bridge to be transported on barge from Belgium
A 207 metre long bridge, as part of the multi-million euro development of Waterford's north quays, is to be transported in four sections by sea-going barges from Belgium by the end of this month. Last month, Waterford City and County Council granted planning permission for 350 new homes as part of the first phase of the North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). Advertisement Permission was granted to Harcourt Developments for the mixed-use development which also includes office accommodation, ground floor creche and retail, a 160-bedroom hotel and conference centre, 163-room aparthotel, retail units on the ground floor of residential blocks. Public plazas, a riverside boardwalk and greenway will also be constructed in what the council describes as 'high quality public realm spaces.' The bridge will be transported from Ghent, via the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, English Channel and Irish Sea to Belview Port and ultimately to the Waterford North Quays site. The delivery schedule is subject to final inspections as well as weather and sea conditions. Once transported to Waterford, the rigging, lifting and installation procedures for the bridge will take around a week to complete. The fast-tracking of integration works as part of construction of the Development Zone will facilitate the opening of the bridge to the public by the end of next year 2026. Advertisement Details of a bridge naming public consultation are to be announced in the coming weeks. Michael Quinn, Director of Economic Development, Waterford City and County Council, outlined that works are continuing in Ferrybank with the realigned Abbey Road and Dock Road are due to be completed in July and October this year. Mr Quinn outlined that the transport hub is 'progressing well' with mechanical and electrical installation, platforms and landscaping ongoing. Works to the platforms and rail track are continuing, and the internal building fit out and external public entrance plaza at Dock Road will commence in the coming months. Advertisement The transport hub is expected to be fully complete by the middle of next year, with final commissioning and opening by Irish Rail in early 2027. 'The steel deck superstructure for the sustainable transport bridge, fabricated and fitted out at Victor Buyck Steel Construction's production plant in Ghent, Belgium is due to be delivered by the end of May,' Mr Quinn added. The direct benefit to Waterford of the investment in the SDZ site is anticipated to be in excess of €350m over the next six years, the council highlighted, with 200 people employed during construction and upwards of 1,500 jobs to be created following completion of phase one of the development.
RTÉ News
06-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Work continuing on 'transformative' Waterford North Quays project
The Waterford quays are abuzz with the sound of construction, as the North Quays Infrastructure Project continues at pace. Where once you may have gazed across the River Suir from the South Bank at an almost empty strip of land, now cranes, concrete and heavy machinery dominate the view. The largest public infrastructure project outside of Dublin aims to invigorate the city centre with facilities including a new transport hub, sustainability bridge and greenway. Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council Sean McKeown has said it is a "hugely transformative project" for the area. "We're doing the public infrastructure and enabling works and that includes a new state-of-the-art transport hub. "That involves the relocation of the existing Plunkett [train] Station here in the city, right into the heart of the North Quays, a new sustainable transport bridge which will connect the North and South Quays and integrate the North Quays back into our city centre." Planning permission for a mix of residential and commercial accommodation, as well as retail space, has recently been granted to Harcourt Developments, and Mr McKeown outlines what that phase of construction aims to deliver: "That's a huge milestone in the development of the project. It will provide 350 residential units, a 160-bedroom, 4-star hotel and conference centre, a further 160-bed apart-hotel, public plazas and open spaces. "A new high-quality boardwalk and greenway, through the centre of the site. So, it's hugely exciting times for Waterford." Amidst the progress, concerns were recently raised when a report from Principal Local Government Auditor James Moran highlighted an overspend on consultancy fees, originally estimated at €6.7 million, running to a total of €24m. "Initially, we envisaged that this would be a three-year project. We're now, in conjunction with the consultants, developing the detailed design over a much longer period. "There's all sorts of detailed design changes and the project has is radically different from what was first envisaged. "We have very good relationship with our contract partners, BAM. The project is audited. So, I'm satisfied that we have accountability and transparency procedures in place and that the project will be delivered on programme and within budget," Mr McKeown said. "I would be very concerned, as a taxpayer and for the taxpayers" However, Independent Councillor for Waterford City South Donal Barry is concerned about budget oversight and overspend. "The issue with the consultancy fees has been going on for a number of years. In 2021, the auditor said the increased consultancy fees were going up to €8.4m. In 2022, the consultancy fees went to €9.9m and then 2023 they shot up to €24m," Cllr Barry said. "I would be very concerned, as a taxpayer and for the taxpayers. Aside from the Children's Hospital in Dublin, here we are in Waterford, with such a massive increase from the same company, BAM, and we're gone up over €20m in consultancy fees." Businesses located on the South Quay are awaiting the completion of the development eagerly, hoping it will bring economic and societal prosperity to the area. "It's going to benefit the region for business, for tourism and for the locals that live here" Tina Darrer is the third generation of her family to run Dooley's Hotel, which her grandmother opened in 1947. "We've been years and years waiting for the North Quays development. It's just fantastic to see the development has started. "It's going to benefit the region for business, for tourism and for the locals that live here in Waterford." The project will include a greenway connecting New Ross in Co Wexford to Dungarvan in southwest Waterford, through the city. Tina hopes this will boost tourism numbers coming to the region. "It's going to be a gamechanger. Already our 46-kilometre greenway, from Waterford to Dungarvan, has shown us the potential and to be able to link up with New Ross, is going to be amazing. We will be the Camino of Ireland."
Irish Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Harcourt hotel group bookings triple for British Open in Antrim following McIlroy's Masters win
Harcourt Developments, a hotel group founded by Donegal-born developer Pat Doherty, is seeing the benefits of 'McIlroymania' already with a 'threefold increase' in bookings for the British Open golf championship at Royal Portrush in Co Antrim in the two weeks after the Irish golfer's US Masters win. The Open takes place between July 17th and July 20th. 'In the two weeks after Rory had achieved his great success we saw a three-fold increase in bookings‚' said the hotel group's chief operating officer Clement Gaffney. While the group's Redcastle Hotel had an existing corporate booking for all of its rooms he said there was a surge in bookings at its other hotels in Ulster. ' Rory has shone great light on Ulster, and on the Open, which benefits the entire region. It has been fantastic, it has been very positive since Rory won.' Even before the McIlroy's successes the Harcourt Collection of hotels had a 'buoyant start to the year', seeing group revenues rise by 10 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 over the same period last year. READ MORE The group's Ulster-based properties Lough Eske Castle, Redcastle Hotel and Spa, and Titanic Hotel Belfast, have been 'standout performers', the company said with 16 per cent revenue growth year-on-year in the first three months of the year. 100 days of Trump: 'It's like The Karate Kid, tax on, tax off, tariffs on, tariffs off' Listen | 42:49 Hospitality industry groups have recently questioned tourism figures released by the Central Statistics office (CSO) showing significant reductions in spending and tourists in Ireland, with industry chiefs set to meet with the national statistics office on the matter. 'I've been following it with great interest,' the Harcourt chief operating officer said, but noted their hotels hadn't seen any reductions in visitors to their properties. Instead, he said, 'our hotels, our bed nights, our revenue, our rooms occupied, our occupancy, and rates, they have all shown very stable extended growth'. Despite concerns that the number of tourists coming to Ireland could be affected by US tariffs and global economic uncertainty, Mr Gaffney said the hotel group was 'not seeing a drop-off in the number of US tourists coming to Ireland', with North American guests expected to account for more than 60 per cent of stays during the summer. Instead, they are 'seeing very nice steady growth – recent growth - in Canadian business at our Caribbean property', Carlisle Bay in Antigua, as the country's tourism to its southern neighbour cools. The group recently announced a planned €5 million upgrade of its five-star Lough Eske Castle hotel in Co Donegal which grew its room count by 28 per cent. This investment, Mr Gaffney said, has returned a 23 per cent growth in revenue for the hotel in the first quarter. There is more investment to come, Mr Gaffney said, with Harcourt Developments set to commence construction of a 155-bed four star hotel in Liverpool and are looking at 'further development opportunities' in Belfast near their existing Titanic Hotel. He said the Titanic Hotel in Belfast was 'trading at a very high occupancy on a consistent basis, which is a great achievement. What we want to do now is unlock further development in Belfast to capitalise and build on that'.
