Merchant Square

BWM acted as civil and structural engineers for the rooftop extension to this seven-storey office building on Wellington Place, in Belfast city centre. The scheme adds two new floors and a new entrance to the existing structure. Through careful design, we were able to justify retaining the existing foundations rather than replacing them. Where new foundations were required, we specified low-vibration piling; works were phased to allow the shops and offices below to remain open throughout construction.

Once complete, the building will be anchored by PwC, bringing its 2,000 Belfast staff under one roof in what has been described as the city's biggest private-sector office letting to date. Developer Oakland Holdings has called it a catalyst for the wider regeneration of Belfast city centre.