The company, set-up in 1967, a specialist design and build contractor, has continued this growth since March 2011 and is on track to deliver turnover of more than £105m in its current financial year to March 2012 with comparable levels projected for the year to March 2013.

Recent highlights have included the handover of both the Maldron Hotel in Central Cardiff (May 2011), Jury’s Inn Gateshead (Aug 2011), the UK’s first ALOFT hotel, at the key Olympic venue, the Excel Exhibition Centre (Oct 2011) and the 400 bed Premier Inn, T5, Heathrow (Dec 2011) completed within 11 months of going-on site.

Key current projects include a £46m office/retail/residential contract in London’s West End and 3 further Premier Inns, including a flagship 630 bedroom hotel linked to Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal.

The company is a specialist in the hotel and office sectors having completed in excess of 12,000 bedrooms for 14 national operators over more than 40 projects and 1.5m sq. ft. office accommodation. The company looks forward to the continued expansion of its client base with several projects being actively negotiated at present for site starts in early 2012.

Group Finance Director, James Higgins commented:

“Despite challenging market conditions we are proud to demonstrate our improved trading performance and look forward to maintaining our current growth across a broad range of projects and clients without compromising our unique approach.”

On Tuesday night, London’s exclusive Grosvenor House hotel was the glamorous backdrop to design magazine FX’s International Awards. The W Hotel won both the Hotel Award and the Lighting Design Award.

It follows last week’s news that Spice Market London at the W Hotel London won the Restaurant Interior Design of the Year Award at the European Hotel Design Awards.

The W Hotel also won the best UK Project at MIPIM, the international property exhibition in Cannes, France.

The judges said of the Jestico + Whiles designed hotel:

“Besides the striking visual effects on the façade, stunning interiors by [Amsterdam-based designers] Concrete also assisted the hotel in the heart of the Capital’s West End to become the winner of this year’s Best Hotel Award.”

It saw off tough competition from other hotels including the Five Star Fairmont, Cairo and Le Meridien in Philadelphia.

The W Hotel also received the Lighting Design Award for the lighting concept by Morris Brill Lighting Design. Judges were particularly taken by the lighting in the glamorous WYLD bar which features a 2m- diameter mirror ball which is lit by Erco projectors to create a vivid impact from outside on the Square.

Eamonn Laverty managing director of McAleer & Rushe said:

“The array of awards that the W Hotel has now won are a fitting tribute to the hard work put in by all who were involved in the project.”

The Glockenspiel that rang out from the corner of the Swiss Centre has been returned by the Cookstown-based developer and contractor, as a redesigned free-standing unit. It was formally inaugurated today (28 November).

Eamonn Laverty, managing director of McAleer & Rushe which funded the Glockenspiel, said:

“McAleer & Rushe as the developer of the W Hotel has been very pleased to have played a leading role in the restoration of the Glockenspiel to Leicester Square. The new installation is a fitting symbol of Anglo-Swiss co-operation which fuses the best of British engineering and Swiss craftsmanship.”

The original Glockenspiel – consisting of 27 bells, an astronomical clock and a procession of 23 farmers herding their cows to Alpine pasture – was given to the City of Westminster on its 400th anniversary in 1985 by Switzerland and Liechtenstein as a token of centuries of friendship.

In 2008 McAleer & Rushe began its redevelopment of the Swiss Centre into the stylish W Hotel which opened in February. Part of the demolition process entailed the removal of the iconic clock, but it was a condition of planning approval that the Glockenspiel should return to the square.

The rebuilt Glockenspiel features a procession of 11 moving Swiss figures against a traditional Swiss alpine backdrop, the coat of arms of the 26 Swiss cantons, 27 bells, and 4 Swiss Jacomas representing the 4 different regions with their individual language. Sliding shutters protect the figures from rain, and there is a clock with two faces at the top of the structure.

The faces are inspired by the Swiss Railway Clock which was designed in 1944 and has become a famous design icon. One side of the clock faces Piccadilly Circus and the other Leicester Square.

The bells will chime and a five-minute performance takes place five times a day Monday to Friday (at 12.00, 17.00–20.00), and eight times a day at the weekend (12.00 and hourly between14.00–20.00).

Work to bring the Glockenspiel back to life has been a collaboration between artists and craftsmen in England and Switzerland.

The historic world-leading clock making company Smith of Derby was asked by McAleer & Rushe and Switzerland Tourism to design and create the clock from a basic concept. The brief required it to retain a strong Swiss identity and harmonise with the surrounding buildings and urban context.

H. Rüetschi of Aarau, producer of the former Glockenspiel, was given the challenge of blending the traditional elements with modern wireless technology, as well as co-ordinating art and design elements and the music. It has re-tuned the 27 bells and installed new magnetic hammers, which allow the sound of the bells to be adjusted.

The well-known Swiss artist Adalbert Fässler of Appenzell restored the wood figures, originally hand-carved by the sculptor Fritz Buchs in Brienz, and the music has been written by the Royal Academy of Music in Westminster and the University for Music and Art in Berne.

The official inauguration
The Glockenspiel was formally inaugurated at 12.30pm on Monday 28 November by Councillor Susie Burbridge, the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Westminster, HE Mr Anton Thalmann, Ambassador of Switzerland to the UK, and Mr Urs Eberhard, Executive Vice President of Switzerland Tourism. A past President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Adolf Ogi, also honoured the occasion with his presence.

Stephen Surphlis (Property Director, McAleer & Rushe) speaks to BBC Business

The ceremony included a demonstration of the way that the Glockenspiel has been designed so that it can be played live by plugging in a keyboard. It also included six Alphorn players placed on various roofs around Leicester Square. At street level traditional bell-playing folklore groups from various parts of Switzerland will parade towards the Glockenspiel and create a circle around the guests. The Glockenspiel will give solo performances and in unison with the bell-ringers.

HE Ambassador Anton Thalmann said:

“It is an honour and a privilege to witness the return of the Glockenspiel to Leicester Square, which has been the epicentre of the Swiss presence in London since the 18th century. This magnificent restoration is a tribute to the best of Swiss and UK engineering and cooperation. I hope that as the bells chime, they will strike a chord with the thousands of people who pass through Leicester Square every day and remind them of the enduring friendship between Switzerland and the United Kingdom.”

Jürg Schmid, CEO Switzerland Tourism, said:

“The idea of dedicating a Glockenspiel to the people of the City of Westminster as a token of friendship between the City of Westminster, Switzerland and Liechtenstein in 1985 came from Albert Kunz, the former Director of the Swiss National Tourist Office for the UK/Ireland. With today’s rededication of the new Glockenspiel, this symbol of friendship and the original idea of Albert Kunz lives on, and it makes the worldwide Switzerland Tourism team very proud. Our hope is that the Glockenspiel is a constant reminder of Switzerland and the many tourist assets our country offers: the beautiful mountains, the quaint cities, the sparkling lakes and the panoramic ains.”

Jim Foster, Sales Director for Smith of Derby, said: “This was a fascinating project in so many ways; as experts in clock engineering we faced a series of challenges to ensure that the Glockenspiel met a number of requirements relating to the design, fabrication and installation. We collaborated very closely throughout with Swiss experts to ensure we kept a very strong element of ‘Swissness’ running through the design. We are delighted with the result and hope that the Glockenspiel can once again become a great attraction in the area; a place for people to meet and enjoy this captivating piece of engineering.”

Factbox – Swiss Glockenspiel.

• Standing at over 10 metres high and 3 metres wide, it is the tallest Glockenspiel in the country.
• In 1944, Hans Hilfiker, a Swiss Engineer and Designer and employee of the Federal Swiss Railways, created a clock, which has become known as the Official Swiss Railways Clock. It is amazing just how long this design has endured and now it appears to take a place in the eternal hall of fame along side other well known design icons such as the Coca-Cola bottle, the Mercedes star or the Toblerone packaging.
• The clock features a unique Swiss time movement. The second-hand, shaped like a red train despatch baton, reaches the 12 position after 58.5 seconds and waits for 1.5 seconds. In that time, the black minute-hand jumps to the next minute and then the red second-hand begins a new rotation.
• The bells will chime and performances take place 2,132 times a year.
• The design includes a high-frequency distress sound system device to deter birds from roosting on the structure.
• A plaque is installed on the side of the tower giving information about the Glockenspiel, in both the written word and Braille.
• The idea for the original Glockenspiel came from Albert Kunz, the London director of what used to be the Swiss National Tourism Office.
• New tuning methods gave the Aarau makers the ability to tune the bells with a precision five times greater than in 1985.
• Smith of Derby was founded in 1856, and the company’s clocks grace public buildings all over the world.

The Northern Irish company developed and built the stylish 192-bedroom Starwood-operated hotel scheme which also includes 11 luxury flats and a 35,000 sq ft M&M’s store.

McAleer & Rushe’s managing director Eamonn Laverty said:

“The design, development, construction and sale of the W Hotel-led development on Leicester Square has been a fantastic international showcase for McAleer & Rushe. I am tremendously proud of our company’s achievements. And I would like to thank all those involved who have made it such a successful project.”

Jones Lang LaSalle and Steerforth Partners advised McAleer & Rushe.

This is the second major award Northern Irish developer McAleer & Rushe has garnered for the stylish Leicester Square hotel it developed and built. The W Hotel also won the best UK Project at MIPIM, the international property exhibition in Cannes, France. Spice Market saw off competition from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Massimo Restaurant & Oyster Bar at the Corinthia Hotel London and Hyatt Regency, Dusseldorf.

In February 2011, internationally renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and CulinaryConcepts by Jean-Georges premiered the South East Asian-inspired restaurant which is the sister restaurant of the iconic Spice Market in New York’s Meatpacking District.

Designed by Amsterdam-based team Concrete, the venue’s striking opulent interior offers a unique blend of the authentic old world feel of Spice Market NY and the contemporary architecture of the new W London. Set over two floors, warming shades of gold, copper, chrome and wood are used throughout Spice Market and the windows are discreetly screened with gold mesh. Low slung black leather banquettes encircle the rooms and diners will be seated at intimate booths.  Other notable design features include a stunning ‘birdcage’ gold spiral staircase and 600 custom-designed shimmering wok lamps, which cover almost every part of the ceiling giving out an attractive low light.

The rear wall of Spice Market houses a 24 metre-long wall of spices containing all the colours, flavours and fragrances of the South East Asian dishes served at Spice Market.  There are 34 seats downstairs available for dining, a cocktail lounge with 32 seats and a sushi bar.  Upstairs hosts 95 seats with an open kitchen and a private room accommodating up to 40 covers.

Eamonn Laverty managing director of McAleer & Rushe said:

“I am delighted that Concrete got the recognition it so richly deserves for the stunning interiors it created at the W Hotel.”

The first was the emphatically successful W Hotel at Leicester Square which has become the location of choice for celebrities. There was more glamour on Tuesday with the launch party for The Aloft London Excel, at London’s ExCeL International Exhibition and Convention Centre. It marked the UK debut of the Aloft brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

The stylish Aloft hotel with 252 loft-style guest rooms was built by McAleer & Rushe on a Design and Build (D&B) contract. It boasts “industrial” design elements and features, a self-service food pantry and a “buzzing” bar scene. The architect was Jestico & Whiles.

The hotel follows a “serpentine” plan with a convex central spine flanked by two concave wings. Its exterior has been clad in thousands of highly reflective stainless-steel shingles to create a shimmer type effect and change colour to reflect the surroundings throughout the day.

McAleer & Rushe construction director Martin Magee said:

“One of the most fascinating elements of this project in our role as D&B contractor was to help Starwood and the owner to create a brand identity for the UK market because this is the first Aloft in the UK. Aloft is already present in the US and the Middle East. But the brand had to be interpreted to suit the UK market. We are delighted that the end result from our design team has been so warmly received.”

“The completion of The Aloft now takes the total number of hotel rooms built by McAleer & Rushe to more than 12,000 which is a milestone, that few, if any can match. This latest project is a great show case for McAleer & Rushe’s abilities and enhances our strong track record in the hotel sector.”

The hotel is owned by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company which owns also Aloft Abu Dhabi which was the first Aloft hotel in the Middle East.

McAleer & Rushe developed and built Starwood’s first W Hotel in the UK which opened in February. In September the Northern Irish company sold the stylish 192-bedroom hotel on Leicester Square to Qatar-based investor Al Faisal Holding Company for just under £200m. Also at the end of September McAleer & Rushe completed a 203-bedroom four storey waterfront Jurys Inn on Gateshead Quayside. It sold the Gateshead hotel the previous September for more than £19m in a forward funding deal with Aviva Investors.

This newest addition to the Jurys Inn chain marks their 25th hotel and their second hotel in the Newcastle Gateshead area. David Malanaphy, cluster General Manager of both hotels said

“We’re very excited to be welcoming the first guests to the hotel today.” David continued, “We have a great team on board and are very proud that most of them are local Newcastle and Gateshead people.”

The new hotel has created in the region of 80 new jobs.

Graham Mitchell, Development Manager at McAleer & Rushe commented

“This is a fantastic new addition to the thriving Newcastle Gateshead hotel sector. We are delighted to complete this hotel on time and on budget for Aviva Investors, who forward funded the development.”

Graham added

“The completion of this latest hotel takes the total number of hotel rooms developed by McAleer & Rushe to well in excess of 10,000 which is a milestone that few if any can challenge and this latest development further reinforces our significant abilities and track record in the sector.”

The purchase price reflects a net initial yield of close to 4%.
The stylish 192-bed W London is situated on the corner of Leicester Square and Wardour Street, on the site of the former Swiss Centre. In addition to the Starwood-operated hotel, that has quickly become synonymous with A-list celebrities, the ten-storey building houses 11 luxury two and three bedroom penthouse W Residencies and a 35,000 sq ft M&M’s World store, a first for Europe.

Developed and constructed by McAleer & Rushe and designed by Jestico + Whiles the scheme has won best UK development at international property show MIPIM, held in Cannes, and has been shortlisted for a number of other forthcoming prestigious architectural awards.

McAleer & Rushe’s managing director Eamonn Laverty said:

“This has very much been a flagship, showcase development for McAleer & Rushe. We built a hotel that is instilled with the highest levels of design and exclusivity that one would expect of such a glamorous brand as W and on such a prominent site, on one of London’s most famous squares. We have also created one of the most exclusive branded apartment schemes in London, with the full benefit of catering and other services provided by the W Hotel. The funds raised will be reinvested in the business and will assist us in the pursuit of other development opportunities.”

McAleer & Rushe’s property director Stephen Surphlis added:

“There was always going to be a lot of interest in this scheme given its architectural quality, the long leases and strength of the international covenants of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Mars Retail Group, and the strong demand for prime London property. We are particularly pleased to have concluded such a successful transaction.”

Jones Lang LaSalle and Steerforth Partners advised on the sale.

Robert Millar investment partner of Steerforth Partners said:

“The W Hotel received a lot of interest from international investors and is the latest evidence that the market for prime central London property remains very robust. The price achieved is testament to McAleer & Rushe’s foresight and acumen in acquiring, developing and letting this iconic London landmark.”

Jon Hubbard, MD for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels added:

“London remains the focus for global capital and this sale reinforces the international appeal of London for real estate investors, recognising the long term strength of the London hotel market. The current lack of stock continues to drive competition for good quality assets.”

Maldron is Ireland’s largest hotel group. It opened the new 12-storey superior three-star Maldron Hotel on the site of the former Central Hotel by the central railway station on May 16. It has created 50 new permanent jobs for Cardiff with more to follow when additional retail or restaurant space is let on the ground floor.

McAleer & Rushe was the main contractor on the 14-month project. The £25m hotel designed by Belfast-based White Ink Architects was funded by the Julian Hodge Bank of Cardiff.

Rush Developments is a well known South Wales developer owned by Kim Tonks and Ian Jones which has specialised in commercial development in this region for 30 years. Rush director Kim Tonks said:

We have been very pleased with the delivery of such a high quality hotel. McAleer & Rushe was a great company to work with and delivered the scheme to a very tight schedule on time and on budget. We are currently in discussions with a number of parties about other opportunities and are always interested in strong new development opportunities.

McAleer & Rushe construction director Martin Magee said:

This was a great project for McAleer & Rushe to be involved in and helps cement our premier league reputation for hotel construction and development. We are pleased to have met the challenging demands made of us to bring forward the completion of the hotel so that it could provide accommodation for those travelling to Cardiff for the Heineken Cup on Saturday. I would like to thank Rush Developments and Maldron Hotels, firstly for the opportunity and then for the very professional manner with which they conducted the contact which facilitated our ability to beat the programme and maintain the budget.

Maldron which has longer-term plans for more hotels in cities across the UK was founded in 2007 by former Jurys Doyle chief executive Pat McCann.
McCann who brought the Jurys Hotel to the Welsh capital in 1994 said:

I’m confident that the Maldron Hotel Cardiff will provide a significant boost to the Cardiff economy in terms of tourism and job creation. Strong comparisons can be drawn between Cardiff and Dublin, as it has a thriving leisure market at weekends and a strong corporate market during the week. For me the city offers huge potential so it made sense for our first UK development to be there.

[toggle title="Further Hotel Information"][checklist]

• 216-bed scheme
• 12 Storey
• 50 New permanent jobs
• Opened: 16th May 2011
• Designer: White Ink Architects
• Developer: Rush Developments
• Contractor: McAleer & Rushe
• Cost: £25m

[/checklist][/toggle]

The award ceremony organised by the Variety Club was held at the Rudding Park Hotel near Harrogate last night (5 May). The Best Commercial Development award was sponsored by Land Securities.

The Bradford scheme designed by Belfast-based Todd Architects is located on the prominent corner of Godwin Street and Thornton Road and has regenerated a previously derelict site fronting onto Centenary Square and the Town Hall. It comprises a 117,003 sq ft office building, which was pre-let, and purpose designed for one of Bradford’s leading employers, Provident Financial Plc and a 200-bedroom Jurys Inn hotel.

Northern Ireland-based McAleer & Rushe was the contractor and developer and completed the building within budget in just 18 months. The eye-catching project includes an impressive splayed corner at the main junction as well as natural stone and large amounts of glazing, particularly at street level.

McAleer & Rushe’s property director Stephen Surphlis said:

We are very honoured to receive this prestigious award and would like to thank the Variety Club and the esteemed panel of judges. This award is a fitting tribute to all those that contributed to a building we are very proud of. We are pleased to have played our part in the new vibrant regeneration of the heart of Bradford.

Knight Frank advised McAleer & Rushe.