Belfast celebrates completion of the superstructure at Victoria Square
A major milestone was reached today in Multi Development UK Ltd’s Victoria Square regeneration scheme, with the completion of the superstructure of the 800,000 sq ft development in Belfast’s city centre. To mark the occasion, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie and Belfast’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Jim Rodgers took part in the “topping out” ceremony which celebrates achieving this point in the construction of the £320m Victoria Square development.
As part of the event, a 2m triangular piece of glazing was placed into position in the scheme’s iconic 35m diameter high-glazed dome, which has already dramatically altered Belfast’s skyline. The ceremony was celebrated by the developers, Multi Development, building contractors Farrans/Gilbert-Ash JV, the many sub contractors who have accomplished construction to date and other key stakeholders in Belfast’s regeneration. Belfast Poet Michael Longley was also present to recite The Dome, which was composed especially for the occasion. The poem is permanently inscribed in one of the pieces of glazing in the dome.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: “This milestone is an opportunity to be proud of what is being achieved at Victoria Square, and also marks a further step in the rebirth of the city centre. The development is transforming the heart of Belfast, and the glass dome is already without doubt an iconic addition to the city centre skyline.
“My Department has a clear policy for the city centre – working from the heart outwards. Only last week, I announced the start of work on the £16m first phase of the Belfast: streets ahead programme to makeover some of the key streets and spaces in the city centre. Belfast is flourishing and I have no doubt that Victoria Square and other schemes will contribute to our goal to make Belfast a place where people choose to live, work and play, and to position it as a premier European capital.”
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Jim Rodgers, said: “Belfast has many iconic features dominating its skyline, each reflecting the city’s growth and development. The dome of the City Hall tells the story of Belfast’s rich industrial past, and the pride of her people at that time. Now, we have a second dome – that here at Victoria Square – reflecting a Belfast building for the future with vigour and a renewed confidence.”
Presenting a commemorative photograph of the construction of the dome, Mike Gray, Project Director, Farrans/Gilbert-Ash JV said: “ To be involved in such a prestigious and complex project has been a personal privilege and to have reached this significant milestone on programme is as a direct result of the teamwork and effort put in by FGA and their subcontractors over the past two years and I know that this will continue into the fit-out phase of the project over the next eight months.”
Paul Sargent, Managing Director, Multi Development UK said, “Multi is delighted to have reached this significant stage in the construction of Victoria Square. I am confident that, upon completion, Belfast will have not only an exciting new retail, leisure and residential offer but also a splendid landmark that I’m sure will become both locally and internationally acclaimed.”
Topping out celebrations are an important tradition in construction projects and symbolise the completion of the highest point of the building. With the completion of the structural build at Victoria Square, the fit-out of this retail-led mixed-use scheme can now get underway. The scheme’s anchor tenant, House of Fraser, has already begun the fit-out of what will be their biggest UK & Ireland store at 200,000 sq ft. Joining them is an exciting mix of quality brands new to Belfast including H&M, Cruise, Hugo Boss, Urban Outfitters and Hamleys.Victoria Square will open in March 2008.
Topping out
These days, a topping out ceremony marks the completion of the highest point of a new structure and provides an opportunity for the client, contractor and sub-contractors to celebrate this landmark in the construction process. However, the ceremony’s origins go back many centuries and have a place in the folklore of Scandinavia and Germany. In these countries it was a traditional ceremony that took place to ward off evil spirits from a new building. It is likely that invaders from these lands brought the tradition with them.
Multi Corporation
Multi Corporation is a leading company in Europe in the field of developing, owning and operating quality shopping centres, offices and mixed-use projects through its subsidiaries Multi Development, Multi Investment, Multi Asset Management and Multi Mall Management. With the backing of a Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund, Multi combines financial strength and investment capacity with its experience and proven track record as a quality developer. Multi is strongly committed to further growth and its strategy continues to be to carry out developments and investments in European countries where there is significant potential.
Multi’s design and development philosophy empowers us to create innovative projects that are stimulating and captivating in character.
With over 120 schemes delivered across Europe in the past 25 years, Multi’s projects have achieved worldwide acclaim and are internationally recognized for their innovative nature, quality of architectural character and profound sensitivity to the blending of urban design. Our developments regularly act as the engine for regenerating a city or region.
Multi Development’s activities in 20 countries in Europe are conducted from offices in the Netherlands (head-office), Belgium, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Ukraine, Rumania, Slovakia and Turkey.
In the UK, Multi Development has 3 inner-city regeneration projects underway worth over £1bn; Victoria Square in Belfast (open Spring 2008); Summer Row, Wolverhampton (open 2010); SouthGate, Bath (open 2010).
Department for Social Development
Victoria Square was initially chosen by the Minister for Social Development in July 2000 as the site for a major redevelopment in the centre of Belfast following an assessment of four potential projects. The Department officially adopted the Victoria Square Development Scheme in January 2003 and has worked closely with the developer, Multi Development, to bring this privately- funded £320 million investment to fruition.