Features

The experts

28 Mar , 2019  

When the shortlist for the 2018 Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) awards were announced, John Sisk & Son was nominated for six accolades.

The six were the Luas Cross City (Civil Engineering); Pairc Ui Chaoimh (Leisure/Tourism); Earlsfort Terrace (Commercial over €10m); Baggot Plaza (refurbishment/retrofit/fitout), while the company was also shortlisted for the BIM Excellence Category and the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Category.

To be nominated for so many awards in the one event highlights the recognition that the company is held in amongst its peer.

On the night, John Sisk & Son walked away with the prestigious Project of the Year award for their work on Cork GAA’s grounds Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Sisk are no stranger to awards as they have continuously delivered a high standard of work for their clients and have been involved in many prestigious contracts over the years.

Contracts Manager Brian Comaskey oversaw one of the nominated projects – Baggot Plaza, which saw Brian and his team refurbish an existing building at No 27 to 33 Baggot Street, Dublin 4.

“This project was carried out for our client Kennedy Wilson to an exceptionally high standard over a 16 month period,” stated Brian.

“The existing building comprised of three blocks, Block A opening onto Fleming Place, Block C opening on to Baggot Street and Block B joining the two.

“The new building is 17,500m2, up from 11,500m2 for the original. Working on a very restricted site, the project was carried out incident and accident free and both the client, Kennedy Wilson and the tenant, Bank of Ireland were extremely happy with the quality delivered within an extremely tight timeframe and equally as important, on budget.”

Brian admitted that it was nice to be recognised for the work that was done, at the ICE awards, but added that it was quickly a case of moving onto the next project.

“To be nominated for the work gives everyone involved great satisfaction. We would use a number of trusted sub-contractors and they are all well versed on the way that we want the work done. Our safety, quality and environmental objectives are fundamental to the way we delivery our projects. We built a strong team and together with our subcontractors we all work well together to delivery. That has helped the company gain the success we have achieved over the years.

“The company has a number of exciting projects ongoing both here in Ireland, the U.K and in Europe. My next project is an exciting development at Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2.

Permission has been granted for a new office development over eight storeys situated on the banks of Dublin’s Grand Canal.

Within walking distance of all major modes of public transport and surrounded by global leaders in technology, finance and creative sectors, One Wilton is a new benchmark in architecture, design and finish.

Irish property fund Iput plc received the planning permission from Dublin City Council for the redevelopment of Fitzwilton House. This will involve the demolition of the existing 1960s building and the construction of a new 17,405sq m office development over the eight storeys.

IPUT is the largest unlisted property vehicle in Ireland with an unrivalled track record in delivering superior income returns to shareholders through multiple cycles since 1967.

“One Wilton, a new headquarter style office building with LEED platinum sustainability credentials, sits on a prominent site along the Grand Canal, close to the Leeson Street gateway to the Dublin city centre.

The building’s expression is thoughtfully modelled and detailed to respond to its historic context. The full height glazed facade reflects the adjoining amenity of the Grand Canal restoring the streetscape and the urban grain of the district. The office accommodation is entered off Wilton Terrace through a double height glazed entry lobby. This links to a dramatic six storey atrium space that is punctuated by slender bridges which over look the canal and connect the buildings central and Cumberland Road wings.

The building, designed by Henry J Lyons Architects, would include 44 car and 178 bicycle parking spaces and a roof garden overlooking the canal and Wilton Terrace. The current programme envisages construction to get under way in 2018 and for the building to be completed by mid-2020.

Brian added that the company was very much focused on work in the capital where many projects are coming up for tender.

“In the last eighteen months or so, there has been a significant upturn in projects starting in Dublin especially in the commercial sector and also the retail and industrial areas. The Residential sector is something we are getting more involved in and have secured a number of exciting projects with more on the horizon.”

Brian states that there is one key ingredient to help make a project run smoothly and that is planning.

“We are meticulous about our planning and every stage of a project will be planned out to the smallest detail. Our clients recognise this and our ability to deliver and that is why we have so much repeat custom.

“The company provides a good service and as long as we can continue doing so, then we will remain being competitive in the market place for many years to come.”

Contact Details:

John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd

Head Office, Dublin

Wilton Works

Naas Road

Clondalkin

Dublin 22

Ireland

Telephone: +353-14091500

Fax: +353-14091550

Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, November 2018, Vol 4 No 10