Michael Nugent Ltd went to great lengths to deliver the electrical installation at the new Grand Central Hotel – specifically installing 310 miles of electrical cables, which equates to just over the length of Ireland!
The company played a central role in creating this latest icon on Belfast’s skyline and, as the M&E contractor on the project, the team worked closely with the client, Hastings Hotel, architect, RPP Architects, and main contractor, GRAHAM, to transform the former Windsor House office block into Northern Ireland’s largest hotel, and the tallest commercial building in Ireland.
Standing majestically in Bedford Street, this £53m project involved the transformation of a 1970’s era office block into an iconic four- star hotel.
The Grand Central Hotel features 300 luxurious bedrooms, three restaurants, conference and meeting room facilities, and its jewel in the crown – an observatory bar on the 23rd floor offering a breathtaking setting for panoramic views over the city.
The reinvention of the 122,000 square feet building was made possible through an innovative design and build strategy that demanded challenging part-demolition, rebuild and extension processes.
The Grand Central Hotel’s location within Belfast’s Commercial District and in the Linenhall Conservation Area, created logistical restrictions in terms of site access, high volumes of pedestrian footfall within the vicinity, and considerable and consistent vehicular traffic.
Working in conjunction with GRAHAM, Michael Nugent Ltd provided the full mechanical and electrical services installations for this outstanding project; the largest and most expensively constructed hotel project undertaken in Northern Ireland.
Over 2,000 workers contributed to the completion of the four- star property, with Michael Nugent Ltd leading the way as the main M&E contractor, playing a key role in its complex design, mitigating any issues and working tirelessly both day and night over the closing weeks to ensure the hotel opened on time.
The project was a complex electrical installation which included mains switchgear, rising busbars, sub main cabling through distribution boards and mechanical controls cabling. General, emergency, external and bespoke lighting were fitted, along with CCTV, security and access controls. An intricate re alarm system was designed specifically for the high-rise building along with disabled refuge, toilet alarms and a tailored telephone and data system.
Michael Nugent Ltd has a wealth of experience providing M&E services for hotels with a portfolio that includes projects across the UK and Ireland, such as Hampton by Hilton, Stanstead; Hampton by Hilton, Edinburgh Airport; Premier Inn, Maidenhead; Clayton Hotel, Chiswick; Tamburlaine Hotel, Cambridge; Lough Erne Resort & Spa, Enniskillen; and Hillgrove Hotel and Spa, Monaghan. The Grand Central Hotel further enhances this ever- growing portfolio and again demonstrates the company’s wealth of experience in providing a professional, high quality service.
Michael Nugent Ltd, 2 Tandragee Road, Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone, BT70 3DS
T: 028 8775 8617 – E: info@michaelnugent.co.uk
W: www.michaelnugent.co.uk
Sub Contractors
Opulence exudes from the Grand Central Hotel and the bespoke lighting from Lightsource plays an integral role. The £53million project, with 23 floors and 300 luxuriously designed bedrooms, marks an exciting period in Belfast’s hotel scene development.
With its double height space on the ground floor and ‘its international outlook, and cosmopolitan feel’, no expense has been spared on the hotel’s sumptuous interior design.
Anthony Brown, Sales Director for Lightsource, said, “With a large proportion of the lighting being bespoke to the hotel, it really tested our European manufacturers and, I can say, that they have successfully delivered. “Working closely with the architects, RPP, and M&E contractor, Michael Nugent Ltd, Lightsource provided a lighting design to match the ‘transitional’ lighting specification the client was looking for. “I am really proud of our staff for delivering on time and sticking to allocated budget.”
Anthony added “Lightsource partners with clients, and the strength of our relationship with Michael Nugent’s was crucial to the success of a project of this complexity.
“We were involved right from the concept stage and this helped us develop the designs to meet the client’s needs. Our experience on working on prestigious hotels such as Gleneagles, Berkley and Connaught alongside our past relationship with Hastings Hotel Group also helped in this regard.
“The focus was on creating lighting that matched and enhanced the overall aesthetics of the interior. It had to have that designer, bespoke style while also being functional, so we opted for low glare, energy efficient solutions throughout.”
Lightsource liaised closely with other bespoke manufacturers to co- ordinate the company’s lighting with other aspects of the interior design. The partnership approach also extended to Lightsource’s Project Manager, Simon Harris, being on site throughout the project. This was particularly important given the time demands.
Anthony concluded, “We have over 40 years’ experience and, as a family- owned business, we take personal pride in every project. We love being challenged and work closely with clients from all over the world. We have experience deriving from a diverse range of domestic and commercial projects and I feel our personal approach and our commitment to quality and reliability shines through.”
Lightsource
T: 0044 (0)28 9066 6615
E: support@thelightsource.co.uk
W: www.thelightsource.co.uk
Offering 23 floors of luxury, the Grand Central Hotel is grand by name and grand by nature and the stunning new hotel is powered by a power distribution system from Hanover Systems.
Hanover Systems reached new heights in providing a bespoke system for this impressive new hotel, working closely with M&E contractor, Michael Nugent Ltd, from the early stages of the project to ensure the company could meet the tight timescales.
The specialists in HV and LV power distribution, total building control, automatic meter reading and energy efficiency solutions have plenty of experience in this type of project, with the Grand Central Hotel adding to a number of hotel projects that Hanover Systems has completed recently.
“Hotels are big business in Belfast at the moment and we were delighted to be able to again demonstrate our skills within this sector – and in particular on such a prestigious project. We have an experienced team so despite the different challenges, we were able to tailor our solution to meet the needs of the Grand Central Hotel.” With a wide range of products, including HV switchgear, HV transformers, LV switchgear, harmonic filtration, power factor correction, UPS and automatic meter reading, Hanover Systems is able to offer a one-stop-package solution.
Whether you require one or all of the company’s products, the team from Hanover will design and engineer a solution that ensures all your on-site, technical, quality and commercial requirements are met. “We regularly work with specifiers and end users, getting involved with projects at an early design stage and assisting with any bespoke requirements,” said Alastair.
As Northern Ireland’s sole appointed Hager partner and sole appointed authorised system assembler for Schneider Electric, Hanover Systems is able to provide certified IEC 61439 solutions, ensuring that quality is an integral part of all its products. Hanover Systems is also an approved CUBIC partner, insuring IEC 61439 compliant solutions. Using CUBIC’s latest 3D technology, the company is able to tailor a solution which best suits its customers. Hanover Systems also supplies a wide range of HV solutions and products range from ring main units, vacuum switchgear and liquid filled transformers to cast resin transformers, package sub-stations, grade studies and HV training.
In the area of energy efficiency, Hanover Systems is also a leading force, helping clients put in place energy saving practices to reduce consumption and costs. The company offers automatic meter reading; power factor correction to help reduce or eliminate reactive power charges; and harmonic filtration, used to eliminate the harmonic distortion caused by appliances.
Hanover Systems Ltd, 32c Montgomery Road, Belfast, BT6 9HL
T: 0044 (0)28 9070 9130
E: info@hanoversystems.com
W: www.hanoversystems.com
Saturn LED has put in a five-star performance by supplying a range of lighting solutions at the new Grand Central Hotel in Belfast. Following on from a lighting upgrade at the SSE Arena earlier this year, Saturn LED is illuminating some of Belfast’s leading attractions.
The £53million redevelopment project has transformed the former Windsor House office block in the heart of the city into Northern Ireland’s largest hotel, and the tallest commercial building in Ireland.
The stunning new four-star hotel stands majestically in Bedford Street and features 300 luxurious bedrooms, three restaurants, conference and meeting room facilities, and its jewel in the crown – an observatory bar on the 23rd floor offering a breathtaking setting for panoramic views over the city.
“We are delighted to have been involved in this fantastic new hotel and add the Grand Central to our growing list of prestigious projects,” commented Kirk Tweed, National Specification Manager, Saturn LED. “This project required a diverse range of lighting solutions to meet a range of needs and, working with M&E contractor, Michael Nugent Ltd, we were able to meet all these requirements.”
Saturn LED prides itself on an unrelenting drive towards product improvement, and that was key to meeting the needs of the Grand Central Hotel with eight different product ranges utilised. The team also worked closely with Michael Nugent Ltd to ensure deliveries arrived on time – a factor that was critical to the smooth running of the project as it was being built on a restrictive site with little room for storage.
The company’s involvement at Grand Central is reflective of Saturn LED’s ability to provide a high quality service to customers working on projects of all sizes. Saturn LED works across the UK and Ireland and provides a fast and efficient service along with reliable delivery direct to site.
Saturn LED, 153 Brackaville Road, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 4NL T: 0044 (0)28 8788 0063 – E: sales@saturnled.eu www.saturnled.eu
Kane Engineering supplied the main LV switchgear for Hasting Hotel’s new agship hotel at Bedford Street. M&E contractor, Michael Nugent Ltd selected Kane for this scheme, knowing that the company’s expert team could meet all the challenges of working within the tight constraints of the build programme.
Kane worked closely with the contractor to design a compact double-sided main LV panel to suit a limited space within the existing switchroom limits, and which took into account a large number of external cables having to terminate into the front face of the panel at high level.
The Grand Central is one of a range of prestigious projects in Belfast that are safely and securely powered by Kane Engineering’s Low Voltage switchgear.
From the iconic Titanic Belfast to The Waterfront Hall, and George Best Belfast City Airport, a ‘Kane panel’ sits at the electrical heart of literally hundreds of buildings across Greater Belfast, and many thousands more installations throughout the UK and Ireland.
Kane Engineering, Glenford Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4AU
T: 0044 (0)28 9181 4465
E: info@kane-engineering.co.uk
W: www.kane-engineering.co.uk
Electrical Equipment Greentech worked closely with Michael Nugent Ltd, providing vast amounts of containment at the outset before moving on to supply bedroom and bathroom lighting solutions. Throughout the project, many of day-to-day requirements were also provided, including, at times, out-of-hours deliveries.
Working closely with Electrical Director, Richard Gilmour, as well as Contracts Manager, Darryl Fulton, Electrical Equipment Greentech was able to understand Michael Nugent Ltd’s requirements for the project and service the M&E contractor as required. The company is well established and perfectly set up to aid contractors delivering projects of this size. Key Account Manager, Nicky Davidson, was integral to ensuring that timescales and specifications were met, and her experience in project managing jobs of this size was vital in ensuring that Michael Nugent Ltd received the support required.
Manager, Jake Keyworth, said, “We are proud that Michael Nugent Ltd entrusted us to work so closely in partnership on this venture. We have a strong relationship, one that we hope to continue growing through projects like this. Open communication from day one from Richard and Darryl was vital, and we are delighted to see the end result.”
Electrical Equipment Greentech, 58 Boucher Place, Belfast, BT12 6HT
T: 028 9066 1177
E: belfast.244@eel.co.uk
W: www.eel-greentech.co.uk
KEW Electrical company has worked hard to earn a reputation as a reliable partner on projects of this size which require high levels of support and exibility, including out-of-hours deliveries. With an extensive stock at KEW Electrical’s Belfast base coupled with strong connections to leading suppliers, a reliable service and same-day delivery, the company is in a prime position to keep projects of this size fully stocked and, as a result, on schedule.
“As Northern Ireland’s largest hotel, the Grand Central was a complex and challenging project, and we’re delighted to have played our part in its successful opening,” said David Adgey, KEW Electrical’s General Manager. “It is in the heart of the city and was quite a restrictive site, so we had to co-ordinate closely with Michael Nugent Ltd.
“We have a lot of experience of working on projects of this size and we have already been involved in a number of the hotel projects in the city. “We try to offer the same levels of service to all our customers and support single installers right through to major M&E contractors. We not only have the impressive stock levels to meet those needs, but we also have an enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable team who works hard to meet your needs.”
Carrying a stockholding of around £450,000, KEW Electrical is able to service customer needs straight off the shelf or via a delivery service that covers all of Northern Ireland.
It is a straightforward philosophy but one that KEW Electrical executes to perfection. Last year the company picked up two major awards, being named as Northern Ireland’s Electrical Wholesaler of the Year at Northern Ireland’s Electrical Awards and, for the third time, as the UK’s Best Wholesaler (6- 25 branches category) at the Electrical Wholesaler Awards. “We take great pride in our stock levels and the quality of products we offer,” added David, “but it is our staff who makes the real difference by going the extra mile to help our customers.”
Kew Electrical, 385 Holywood Road, Belfast BT4 2LS
T: 0044 (0)28 9047 1727
E: Belfast@kewelectrical.co.uk
W: www.kewelectrical.co.uk
As part of the Grand Hotel’s power requirement, M&E contractor, Michael Nugent Ltd awarded Edina the contract to supply and install the 400kVA diesel generator. The containerised diesel generator was installed on the roof of the 23-storey hotel in segments and craned into position.
Working with Michael Nugent Ltd, Edina commissioned the generator which will maintain security of power supply in the event of a power failure. On-site backup power is part of a wider energy resilience strategy that mitigates against energy-related failures that negatively impact upon operations, nance and the reputation of a business.
Edina has a long-standing history in delivering power generation solutions across a number of industry sectors to include; hospitals, universities, commercial, industrial, public and, leisure and hospitality. Edina is a leading supplier, installer and maintenance provider for combined heat and power (CHP), gas- red and diesel power generation demands.
Edina has offices in the UK and Ireland and has access to a full range of global diesel prime movers and alternator manufacturers to suit individual diesel power generation requirements and is the official Ireland and UK distributor for MWM reciprocating gas engine technology.
Edina UK Ltd, Lissue Industrial Estate (West), Lisburn, BT28 2RE
T: 0044 (0)28 9262 2122
W: www.edina.eu
MGA Communication provided the Public Address / Background music and Audio Visual systems at the new Grand Central Hotel.
The system allows independent music and other announcements to be made in specific areas of the hotel, putting the management team in complete control. Additionally, the company installed a complex AV system within the conference room which can be sub-dived if needed. AV was also installed in meeting rooms.
All systems can be controlled by easy-to-use wall-mounted touch panels. As recognised AV experts, the team at MGA Communication Ltd has worked on many prestigious projects across a wide range of sectors, not just in Northern Ireland but also across the UK and Ireland.
The scope of the company’s business is the supply, installation and commissioning of audio visual and communication systems, providing sales and technical support during the life cycle of the system(s) provided. This includes the design, delivery and management of both private and public sector projects.
Established in 1994, the company comprises a team of highly competent, trained and dedicated professionals, technical eld staff and office support personnel, working together to provide top quality solutions for the company’s many customers.
MGA Communication Ltd, 55 Antrim Road, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AN
T: 0044 (0)28 9756 5614
E: enquiries@mgacom.co.uk
W: www.mgacom.co.uk
Beacon Fire & Security have checked out after delivering a five-star performance at Belfast’s most talked about new hotel – the Grand Central.
The largest and most expensively constructed hotel in Northern Ireland recently opened its doors in Belfast city centre. Situated on the former site of Windsor House, the 300- room hotel has bene ted from a £53million investment by the Hastings Hotels group. The hotel boasts a range of dining options such as their Grand Café on the ground floor, a cocktail lounge named The Observatory on the 23rd floor and the Seahorse Bar and Restaurant which overlooks Bedford Street.
The meticulous design includes marble flooring, remarkable interior lighting and double height space on the first and first floors of the 23-storey hotel. And protecting all this is a bespoke security package from Beacon. With the hotel sector growing at an extensive rate in Belfast – as well as across Northern Ireland – Beacon Fire & Security has again proved how the company’s tailored approach is so effective.
As specialists in re and security systems, Beacon provides a complete range of specialist re and security services such as intruder alarms, re alarms, CCTV systems, access control solutions, public voice evacuation systems, nurse call systems, and intercom solutions.
The company has been protecting homes and businesses across Northern Ireland since 2003 and now boasts an impressive client base, from large shopping centres to electrical contractors, charities, national retailers and facilities management companies.
With an experienced team, all staff at Beacon are trained above and beyond current standards in both re and security disciplines and, in partnership with industry- leading suppliers, they attend product training sessions across a wide variety of products. Beacon Fire and Security has aligned itself with the best names in the world for all specialist service equipment. All of the company’s products and services have been highly acclaimed by some of the most reputable companies in Northern Ireland.
This perfect combination of knowledgeable staff and quality products has been the backbone of success at Beacon Fire & Security and remains the basis for future success.
Beacon Fire & Security, 15 The Crescent Business Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2GN.
T: 028 92 67 6622
E: info@beacon-ni.co.uk
W: www.beacon-ni.co.uk
