600 jobs on the way in Farrans deal to build 17-storey City Quays giant

CONSTRUCTION giant Farrans looks set to build the huge £15m 17-storey City Quays 3 building at Belfast Harbour.

Last month the Harbour unveiled record results, reporting a 5.6% surge in operating profits to £34m.

Now Belfast-based Farrans will build the latest and largest of the City Quays office schemes in the docks area, which could create 600 construction jobs.

The firm’s Darrell McGuckian said: “Farrans are delighted to be working with the Belfast Harbour Commissioners team to deliver the City Quays 3 proonce

A CGI impression of the 17-storey City Quays 3 building

ject as part of their ongoing developments.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Belfast Harbour Commissioners

again and to bringing this wealth of experience and expertise to the fore on City Quays 3.”

The scheme is still awaiting the final green light, as it’s deemed a “regionally significant” project that needs the nod from Stormont.

Meanwhile, Belfast Harbour saw turnover rising by 6.5% to £61.9m during 2017.

The growth in turnover and profits was supported by a 3% increase in port cargo handled to a record 23.7 million tonnes.

During the year it invested £42m in new port facilities and regeneration developments, while it says future “capital expenditure plans include an upgrade of the port’s ferry and container handling facilities at a cost of £60m, and further investments in new logistics warehousing units”.

Work is under way on a 900-space car park, while next year’s results are likely to see a further uplift in revenue, due to the new AC Hotel and films studios on the North Foreshore.

Overall, port operations make up around 80% of overall turnover at Belfast Harbour.

“A key factor in the success of Belfast Harbour is the ongoing growth in port throughput in sectors such as aggregates, steel, animal feeds and grains, roll-on/ roll-off freight, ferry passengers and cruise ship visits,” said Joe O’Neill, Belfast Harbour’s chief executive.

“The harbour’s real estate activities also are delivering ongoing growth.”