In keeping with their sustainable objectives the concept for LIR, developed by Rebekah and Stevie McGarry, has re-purposed a former Yacht Club building as a restaurant to serve sustainably sourced wild Irish seafood.

Extensive internal alterations have created a large commercial kitchen, staff facilities, customer toilets, stores and a new internal staircase. External alterations have delivered a new contemporary image with an expansive riverside terrace and stretch canopy over an external dining area.

Throughout the planning application process the proximity of the site to the Bann Estuary demanded detailed, multi-agency consultation. The grant of planning permission coincided with the onset of the pandemic and delivered a new set of unimagined problems. It is a testament to the tenacity and vision of our clients that they have stayed the course to deliver this project which is already gathering praise from top food critics.

Congratulations Rebekah and Stevie, we wish you every success!

www.nativeseafood.co.uk

Montgomery Irwin Architects has led the major remodelling works to the clubhouse at Royal Portrush Golf Club, which is to host The Open 2019.

Works involved a combination of remodelling, renovation and interior fit-out to the restaurant, bar, shop, junior locker rooms and associated spaces.

The successful renovation of facilities at the clubhouse has been widely acclaimed by the membership and visitors alike, which is recognised with greater footfall and spend in the club shop and associated facilities.

The successful remodelling works puts RPGC in a strong position to welcome one of the world’s premier sporting events; The Open 2019

The project involved a comprehensive refurbishment of the former ‘Brown Jug’ café.

Completed over two phases the space has been developed to create a new high quality butchers, deli and seated area. Finishes were chosen to project the high quality products and service provided by Apperley’s, Purveyors Of Fine Foods.

The project involved the fit-out of an existing new-build commercial space in Portrush town centre. The fit-out included three surgery rooms complete with state-of-the-art facilities including reception, waiting areas, sterilisation room, x-ray room, management office and staff accommodation.

Services on the project included statutory approvals, detail design, coordination of services, liaison with specialist equipment suppliers and a full interior design service.

We have extensive experience working in the dental sector, designing spaces that deliver enjoyable customer experience, with real commercial gains recognised by businesses following our design input.

VIEW DENTAL PROJECTS HERE

We have extensive experience working in the butchery sector, designing spaces that deliver enjoyable customer experience, with real commercial gains recognised by businesses following our design input.

VIEW BUTCHERS & FISHMONGERS

Set on the outskirts of Bushmills Aurora’s twin cabins are the first of their kind in Ireland and offer a distinctive combination of raw beauty and modern luxury for year round escapes.

The planning process was challenging with the site located within the UNESCO Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site.

After months of enquires, the clients decided to work with Pioneer Log Homes based in British Columbia, Canada.

The cabins are constructed using Western Red Cedar logs, which is resistant to rot and insects, withstands severe climate conditions and impressive thermal qualities.

We developed a close working relationship with Building Control and outside consultants, in particular the SAP assessor and engineer. Pioneer carried out their own calculations to ‘test’ the proposals and when satisfied the scheme worked structurally, our task was to interpret this information to comply with Northern Ireland regulations.

Pioneer’s impressive log inventory allows their lumberjacks to hand choose each log specific to the project. Prior to construction, the logs are seasoned and air dried to help control shrinking. External walls and log rafters were erected to complete the main structure, with each log referenced and the structure dissembled and ‘reverse packed’ for shipping.

A team of master joiners from Pioneer made the trip to erect the walls and main roof structure. We worked closely with Pioneer to develop bespoke details which not only complement the materials used but comply with our regulations.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of the construction related to the fact that in the first few years, as the logs dry, the height of the walls will decrease by approximately 100mm! This presented detailing issues at structural openings, internal stud walls, wall plate level and external post supports. The challenges ranged from dealing with the effect this amount of movement could have on the primary structure, to achieving and maintaining air tightness throughout the building.

The airtightness test yielded satisfying results, which was down to a combination of inventive detailing and meticulous attention and care on site.

A restrained interior fit-out completed by the client allows the logs to hold centre-stage at all times, with playful features such as bespoke light fittings and handmade bunk beds adding to the character further.

Aurora has been a unique project for us and we have enjoyed every moment of the design development and construction.

Project featured in CIAT AT Journal

No. 23a Bishop Street, is a three-storey-over-basement Georgian style, red-brick house located at the corner of Palace Street, constructed in 1873.

It replaced an earlier building that had stood on the site since at least the early-19th century. A building on the site was first recorded on the Townland Valuation map 1834, which depicted a building possessing a long return that occupied the current position of No. 23a Bishop Street and No. 2-4 Palace Street.

The building continued to be utilised as a private dwelling until 1959 when it was occupied by the Royal Air Force Association and converted into clubrooms. The building remained in use as a clubhouse until at least the 1970s.

More recently it has been used as office accommodation prior to the remodelling works.

The principle for the works was to return the building to residential use, providing good quality accommodation within the heart of ‘The Walled City’.

The interior of the original building had been altered substantially over time with little interior historic detailing remaining.

The renovation works have gone some way to bringing back some period features to complement how the building might have been dressed.

Photo credit : Martina Gardiner

www.palacestreetapartments.com/home

The project involved the refurbishment and restoration of the entire frontage of the White House, with a focus on the integrity of ‘The Trocadero’ portion of the building, which is interconnected and forms part of The White House, on Main Street.

The external elevations of the building have been repaired and the historic character celebrated, with defective building fabric removed and refurbished as necessary. This included removing defective cement render from the Trocadero frontage and replacing it with a more appropriate lime based render.

Internally existing historic features were retained, maintaining the original character, with areas of rot and decay carefully removed. This process involved removing and archiving historic fabric for reinstatement in isolated instances.

A building is noted on the smaller Trocadero portion of the site dating back to c.1890. The refurbished building adds value back to Main Street and help to the enhance the local character of the town once more.

Trocadero Historic Building Ref No: HB03 / 10 / 018B

Date of Construction: 1880 - 1899

Listing: B1

Completed photographs : Valiant Fotography

Black and white historic reference image by The Francis Firthe Collection : https://www.francisfrith.com/portrush/photos

Construction phase photographs : Montgomery Irwin Architects

Lynas Food Service has evolved into the largest family operated Food service company in Ireland (expanding operations more recently into Scotland).

Montgomery Irwin Architects has successfully delivered 6 new Lynas Food Outlets, which are strategically positioned across Northern Ireland.

These stores often remodel former industrial buildings, bringing these unused buildings back to life and provide new choice and service to private and commercial clients alike.

The project involved the remodel of an existing commercial space, transforming it into modern office accommodation for a regional estate agent. Detailing and craftsmanship are evident in the handmade furniture and material palette combination that creates a vibrant environment of staff and visitors.

Founded in 1894 by a group of boating enthusiasts, the Portrush Yacht Club has grown to be one of the biggest and most successful clubs of its kind in Northern Ireland. 

The project involved a major extension and renovation of the entire club premises to enhance facilities throughout the building.

New facilities include ‘Winter Bar’ and balcony, committee room, changing areas and entrance foyer. The addition of a new lift and remodelling of the staircase creates a strong feature on the building exterior and makes the entire facility accessible to all.

The building design and programme were developed to ensure that the club could remain open and operational at all times. This essential feature of the project maintained an income stream to safeguard the viability of the club at a time of major expenditure.

This redevelopment has created new and exciting opportunities for the sporting, recreational and community functions of the club.

Portrush Yacht Club will continue to be a signature feature of the burgeoning harbour area.

Venture North proposes the brownfield redevelopment of a former industrial site.

The development will create an iconic new office project was granted planning approval to provide 20,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, with associated car parks and ancillary facilities.

The site boasts the fastest broadband connection speeds between the UK and USA, due to the direct connection to Project Kelvin hub that was also completed by Montgomery Irwin Architects.

Project Kelvin is an extensive submarine and terrestrial cable deployment that directly connects Northern Ireland to North America. The industry leading fibre optic submarine cable makes landfall in Portrush and thereafter is brought to a landing station in Coleraine, less than 1km from Atlantic Link Enterprise Campus.

As a result, the region has become the optimal communications point for North American and Pan-European markets.

Montgomery Irwin Architects was extensively involved in the success of this major infrastructure project. This involved planning permission to bring the submarine cable ashore, within a designated ‘Area of Special Scientific Interest’.

The practice also secured planning permission for the cable landing station and numerous POPs (Points of Presence) around Northern Ireland.

All planning permissions and operations were conducted against a backdrop of exacting time constraints.

"Montgomery Irwin Architects have excelled themselves in their role which has lead to Hiberina extending our network throughout Northern Ireland to Global players such as New York Stock Exchange, Tibus, Novosco and Amazon to name but a few. As a result of Montgomery Irwin's professionalism, approach, reliability and high quality of workmanship during Project kelvin, Hibernia will most definitely hire Montgomery Irwin Architects in all future projects and I would have no hesitation in recommending Montgomery Irwin Architects to anyone"  Owen Maguire, Hibernia Atlantic

The Morelli name is synonymous with Ice Cream in Ireland. Now into their fourth generation, the family owned ice cream parlours are an institution in this part of the world and in particular on the beautiful Causeway Coast. 

Montgomery Irwin were tasked with bringing one of the anchor shops in Portrush up-to-date with a remodel of the existing store to enhance the user experience on the North Coast.

A busy palette of textures and colours was used to accentuate the playful and excited atmosphere the shop creates.

Construction of ‘The Playhouse’ began in the 1930's and original The Majestic Cinema opened on 7th April 1939. It had seating for 792 in stalls and circle levels and the proscenium was 40 feet wide.

As with many cinemas the rise of home video caused numbers to decline throughout the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.

Montgomery Irwin Architects were engaged in 2008 to carry out a major refurbishment of this iconic building, bringing it back to a contemporary use.

The refurbishment involved the creation of new hospitality functions including new bar and lounge spaces, with disabled access and fire safety enhanced throughout.

Montgomery Irwin Architects also provided essential documentation and witness services for the associated license applications required to make the facility successful.

The new build project integrates market leading facilities including; clinics, hydrotherapy suite, surgical theatres, radiography lab, office accommodation, generous welcome foyer and ‘pet store’.

The building also includes living accommodation at 1st floor to support on-call veterinary services.

The project represents a major shift in the level of veterinary services available under one roof to serve the widest range of small and large animals.

This fit-out of office accommodation on Lisburn Road in Belfast created a new headquarters for a leading creative marketing agency MXB, who’s client brands include; Coca-Cola, Gillette, Translink, Tayto, Olay, Pampers and Oral-B to name but a few.

The office includes interactive conference facilities and an open plan layout that stimulates creative process involved in MXB’s core business.

CP Hire Ltd is a family run Plant and Tool Hire company, with depots positioned across Northern Ireland and GB.

Montgomery Irwin Architects were tasked with providing services to extend their Belfast headquarters. The extension provided much needed workshop space and specialist spray shop accommodation within a portal frame structure.

Ground conditions on site required contamination surveys and detailed analysis of problematic ground conditions.

Montgomery Irwin Architects have extensive experience working in the hospitality sector, designing spaces that deliver enjoyable customer experience, with real commercial gains recognised by businesses following our design input.

VIEW HOTELS & RESTAURANTS

Located on the Derry / Donegal border at the start of the Wild Atlantic Way, Gap Coffee Co. has become a perfect stop off destination for artisan coffee, homemade food, and a comfortable environment, now well known for its eclectic mix of furniture and objects of interest that animate the space.

Gap Coffee Co. is a new venture by an established client. Montgomery Irwin Architects were involved with all aspects of land transfers, planning permissions, detailed design and site operations to achieve this new destination.

Positioned off the traditional market square in Bushmills, the existing listed building has been transformed into modern accommodation for people visiting the North Coast area.

Only 2 miles from the UNESCO World Heritage Site at The Giant’s Causeway the historic fabric has been brought back to life for modern day use, giving visitors a sense of place within this historic town.