McAleer & Rushe sponsored Hampshire Royals have won the Friends Provident t20 final in front of a packed house at the newly contructed Rose Bowl, Southampton.

The last over went on forever – chasing 173 we needed eight runs from it (seven if we kept our wickets) and we scrambled so much that there were almost three run outs. Then the wet ball was changed and Dan Christian took the two runs we needed off the penultimate ball, pulling a muscle in his leg in the process so he needed a runner.

Out came Jimmy Adams, hero of the competition this year with almost 680 runs, but there was an agonising wait while the ground staff painted the white lines needed. One ball left: a wicket and Somerset lifted the trophy – a run, and we did. And although there was a very close lbw call that had everybody wondering, Adams put his head down and charged a leg bye. Christian came out of his crease and could have been run out, but Somerset didn’t realise this until too late. Hampshire had won and the fireworks went off.

McAleer & Rushe sponsored Hampshire Royals

Although Abdul Razzaq (23) and Adams (40) got the Royals off to a great start (62 runs in the powerplay) there is no doubt that it was a middle order partnership between Man of the Match Neil McKenzie and Sean Ervine that put Hampshire in a position to win. Ervine finished 44 not out off 31 balls with 7 fours; McKenzie’s contribution was the coolest 52 I have ever seen and by the time he was out at the beginning of the 19th over the Royals had 163 on the board.

Somerset’s attack was hampered by the loss of Kieron Pollard in the final over of their innings when he took a ball from Dominic Cork behind the guard of his helmet and ended his day in A&E.  That last over was as influential as the one in the second innings, because as well as Pollard going off, Cork took two wickets for just 3 runs. He finished with figures of 2 for 24 and restricted Somerset’s total to something last was at least achievable.

Other bowling honours go to Razzaq who snared both Marcus Trescothick for 19 and Hildreth for 12, and Christian and Danny Briggs who finished with one apiece.

It has been an incredible journey for Hampshire, who, beset by injuries, won only half their group games and scraped into finals day courtesy of virtuoso performances by James Vince and Briggs at Edgbaston. Every member of the team that won the final has played an important part at some point along the way – it has been a complete squad effort, and everyone here at The Rose Bowl is unbelievably proud of them.

Words: Jane Cable. Pictures: Oliver Zee
Reproduced with permission from Hampshire Cricket

The Irish developers are on target to deliver Southgate, the new headquarters of loans company Provident Financial on the corner of Godwin Street and Thornton Road, by this autumn.

Stephen Surphlis, Development Director of McAleer & Rushe commented: “Southgate is one of the few major developments in the north of England progressing in the current market. We are on target to hand over the building to Provident Financial in September.

“The benefit to Bradford is huge. We would like to thank everyone concerned with this prestigious project, which has been carried out against the backdrop of the worst recession since the Second World War. Their hard work and commitment has been amazing,” he said.

The topping out ceremony marked both the completion of the new building’s structure, which will also house a 200-bed Jury’s Hotel.

Alex Munro, Head of Commercial Development at global property consultancy Knight Frank, and advisers to McAleer & Rushe, commented:

“This is a tremendous development for Bradford, especially in these challenging economic times. It is a first-class landmark HQ building for Provident Financial and the Jury’s Hotel is a fabulous addition to the city centre. Everyone involved in this project should be very proud of themselves.”

The development was made possible by a £6m loan to McAleer & Rushe by Bradford City Council. Most of this loan has already been repaid, with the remainder being handed over shortly.

Peter Crook, Chief Executive of Provident Financial, commented:

“I am delighted with the progress to date on our new head office building. This has been a real team effort with McAleer & Rushe, Bradford City Council, the project team at Provident, and many others all working together effectively to realise this imposing new building.”

Alex Munro of Knight Frank, added: “This is a great example of the private and public sectors working together. This is a crucial development for Bradford, which will create hundreds of jobs for the city, and comes at a time when good news in the property market is pretty scarce”.

For further information, please contact Robert Beaumont of Robert Beaumont Associates on 01423 323139

Planning consent was granted in 2009 for a new 139,000 sq ft office building with retail units at ground floor level. Redevelopment is planned to start during the course of this year with completion in 2013. The total cost of development including land is expected to be around £100 million.

Eamonn Laverty Managing Director McAleer & Rushe Group said, “By working with British Land we have brought together a wealth of London office development and construction experience which we believe will produce one of the best office buildings in the coming market, whilst also achieving a development funding solution in this difficult economic climate.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Tim Roberts, Head of Offices at British Land said, “This is a great opportunity for British Land to buy into one of the limited number of prime central London locations with planning consent at an early stage in the recovery cycle. We are optimistic about the outlook for rental growth in the West End office market and expect to generate strong returns as we leverage our development expertise. We look forward to working with McAleer & Rushe on this exciting project.”

Wednesday 14th October, 2009 – One of Ireland’s leading property developers the McAleer & Rushe Group yesterday held a prestigious ‘topping out’ ceremony on the roof of the Capital’s most significant hotel development in decades, marking the countdown to the globally anticipated 2010 hotel opening of the sleek and contemporary cool W London-Leicester Square.

McAleer & Rushe Group’s Managing Director Eamonn Laverty commented, “To reach this milestone in today’s economic environment is a great achievement for all involved. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels securing Starwood Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s most prestigious hotel operators, and the introduction of their W Hotel brand to the UK is testament to the significance of this truly unique and innovative development.”

This complex project represents a major step forward within the wider regeneration of Leicester Square and was only made possible through close collaboration between the project team at W Hotels, Westminster City Council, McAleer & Rushe Group’s design team led by Jestico & Whiles Architects and First Trust (AIB) Bank.

Situated on a half-acre site in the heart of the West End, the new development will provide a landmark gateway to Leicester Square. The 210,000sq.ft building will provide contemporary lifestyle experience comprising of a 192 innovative bedroom hotel with 11 branded residences, signature ‘SWEAT’ fitness facility, ‘W The Store’, the ‘W Lounge’ welcome experience, as well as signature restaurant and destination bar concepts, together with an additional 35,000sq.ft flag ship retail unit at ground level and basement which are available for lease separately through commercial agents CBRE.

• Jurys Inn, Derby (213 bedroom)
• Jurys Inn, Swindon (229 bedroom)
• Jurys Inn, Exeter (170 bedroom)

Martin Magee, Construction Director for McAleer & Rushe, commented.

“ Our ability to design, construct and deliver three hotels in line with programme over three consecutive weekends, reflects our experience of the leisure sector and our awareness of the differing needs / issues of the developer, contractor and hotel operator.  We understand the design issues facing developers in ensuring an efficient hotel design, the practical issues facing the contractors in successfully ensuring a building reaches practical completion and also the practical needs of the hotel operator as the building opens to trade.

This awareness, built up over the construction of over 10,000 bedrooms, allows us to commit to construction deadlines with certainty.  Our track record of successful delivery provides comfort to all parties with a vested interest in the project – be that funders or developers in that rental income will flow from the PC date or the hotel operator, who can confidently ramp up their staffing and marketing efforts, safe in the knowledge we will deliver fully turn-key hotels, fit for occupation on the programme date.”

Located on the Clarendon Road, 5 minutes walk from Watford train station, the hotel offers the attractions of Hertfordshire’s largest town in addition to being a mere 20 minute train connection from Central London’s Euston station.

Facilities at the new Inn include, inter alia;

• 216 Bedrooms
• Contemporary Restaurant
• Stylish Bar
• IL Barista Coffee bar
• 8 Dedicated Meeting Rooms
• Wireless LAN in public areas
• Multi-Channel Flat Screen TVs

After 10 years of successfully campaigning for Marie Curie through their Annual Charity Golf event, McAleer & Rushe were recently honoured when Seamus McAleer & Emelda O’Neill received an invitation to attend a reception in Clarence house with HRH Prince Charles, Patron of Marie Curie to show his appreciation to those significant supporters of Marie Curie.

Over the past 10 years, McAleer & Rushe’s annual Corporate Golf day has raised in excess of £530,000.00, which was due in no small manor to the generosity and support of customers and clients who have attended and contributed to the golf day. Marie Curie greatly appreciate these monies, being one of the largest supporters within Northern Ireland.

For more information on Marie Curie please visit www.mariecurie.org.uk.

Facilities at the new Inn include, inter alia;

• 259 Bedrooms
• Contemporary Restaurant
• Stylish Bar
• Il Barista Coffee
• 9 Dedicated Meeting Rooms
• Wireless LAN in public areas
• Multi-Channel Flat Screen TVs

Situated on a half acre site in the heart of the West End, the new development will provide a landmark gateway to Leicester Square. The 210,000sq.ft building will comprise the 194 bedroom 5 star ‘W Hotel’ with its 10 branded residences, signature spa, fitness facility, W Store, W Living Room experience as well as a restaurant and bar, together with an additional 10,000sq.ft retail unit at ground level and a 25,000sq.ft leisure unit in the basement which are available for lease separately. The scheme will give Leicester Square a contemporary new focal point as prestigious as the film premieres and celebrity parties for which it is famed.

Eamonn Laverty, Managing Director of McAleer & Rushe Group, commented, “By securing such an aspirational and desirable brand as ‘W’ Hotels not to mention introducing it to the UK, we firmly believe the project will set new luxury hospitality benchmarks in the West End. Our design team led by Jestico & Whiles Architects have worked closely with Westminster City Council to achieve what we believe will be an iconic building which will be a fitting contribution towards the regeneration of Leicester Square and assist with driving further tourism and leisure business into the West End of London.”

W Hotels is a global lifestyle brand with 21 properties in the most vibrant cities around the world and has become fastest growing luxury hotel brand in the world. Each hotel offers a unique mix of innovative design, comfort, and cultural influences from fashion and design to music and art and everything in between.

“Marking the entry of the W brand in the UK, ‘W London-Leicester Square’ will provide a unique alternative for our guests and facilitate their discovery of one of the world’s most fashionable cities. The hotel will offer escape, exclusivity and innovative design in the heart of London’s most dynamic district,” said Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Westminster City Council plans to upgrade the physical environment of Leicester Square through the refurbishment of this world renowned destination, with McAleer & Rushe Group supporting this initiative and contributing to its cost through the planning gain agreement put in place for the site as part of the planning permission for its redevelopment.

A team led by Chris Martin and Michelle Webb of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels brokered the agreement with Starwood Hotels & Resorts on behalf of McAleer & Rushe Group. The team advised the Irish developer on the substantially enhanced value a 5 star lifestyle brand could deliver to a new hotel in Leicester Square.

“Due to its unique location and development potential, the site was a perfect fit for an internationally renowned luxury lifestyle brand and ‘W hotels’ was truly a perfect match. In London terms, Leicester Square is as close a match to the phenomenally successful ‘W New York-Times Square’ location as could be found, and with the combination of such an exciting product and high profile location we are sure the ‘W London-Leicester Square’ will quickly become one of London’s most famous hotels,” stated Chris Martin.

Other McAleer & Rushe Group projects in Central London include the redevelopment of 2-16 Baker Street as a new 150,000sq.ft headquarters office facility and 46-49 Blackfriars Road as a 225,000sq.ft hotel and office development.

Ideally situated in the heart of the city centre on Exeter Street, adjacent to Plymouth’s historic quarter, Jury’s Inn Plymouth is only minutes away from all business, shopping, cultural and entertainment districts.

Facilities at the new Plymouth Inn include inter alia:

• 247 rooms
• Restaurant / bar
• Dedicated meeting rooms
• Wireless Broadband
• Laundry / dry-cleaning