Kildare man’s building firm earns €52m with bespoke basements for London elite

Specialist in ‘iceberg’ basements may also seek new work in US, writes John Reynolds

A KILDARE man’s UK-based construction firm, Size Group, which caters to the demands for luxury and skilled craftsmanship of some of London’s wealthiest residents, booked a €52m turnover last year, as it eyes possible acquisitions and an expansion to the US.

Established in 2009, builder Darren Size’s firm specialises in work such as building multi-storey so-called ‘iceberg’ basements, in London’s most expensive postcodes like Mayfair, Chelsea and Kensington.

Said Size: “We don’t normally work for developers, but we did carry out major works, including constructing a double basement with pool, cinema, two passenger lifts, a car lift and 13 bedroom suites, all on a single home in Belgravia, being sold for £125m (€140m).

“We’ve been involved in some of the largest basement extensions in the UK. One in London we worked on includes a pool, spa, beauty salon, cinema, nightclub, games room and parking for eight cars underground.

“We are also building two new country houses, which are each close to 50,000 sq ft.”

His business employs 120 people, and recruits skilled Irish graduates every year, from a number of our universities.

Speaking about potential further expansion, he added: “A likely expansion route for us would be to go to the US.

“The market in cities like New York, LA and Miami is close to that of London, in terms of wealthy high-net-worth residents, and their level of spending on building and maintenance.”

The accounts stated: “A number of acquisitions are currently being considered, which would bolster [our] construction and maintenance services.”

“We’ve recruited graduates from universities in Dublin, Belfast and Limerick since 2012, and some of the early entrants to our graduate programme are now in our senior management team,” said Size, pictured inset, who went to school in Naas, and has taken after his father, who worked in the building trade. He said: “We win our work based on our reputation for quality.

“As long as high-net-worth individuals are buying, building and renovating at the top end of the London market, then we will be busy, but we are also highly exposed to the wider political and economic climate that affects them.”