Queen's University Belfast (QUB) has appointed design teams for three innovation centres being built as part of a £200m investment under the Belfast Region City Deal.
Arcadis, Faithful+Gould and Turner & Townsend have won the contracts to project manage, design and construct the innovation centres, which are due to open in 2026.
Arcadis will work on the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), while Faithful+Gould will handle the Global Innovation Institute (GII), and Turner & Townsend will build the Institute of Research Excellence for Advanced Clinical Healthcare (iREACH).
Some £170m of the funding, provided by the UK government and the Northern Ireland executive under the deal, will be spent on the three facilities, with an additional £30m being invested by the university and its partners.
The appointment of the design teams for each of the three Queen’s-led Innovation Centre marks a major step forward in our plans to open cutting-edge facilities under the innovation pillar of the Belfast Region City Deal," said Damien Toner, director of estates at QUB.
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“It’s an exciting time for the projects, which represent a total investment of over £200m from City Deal, the University and its partners. These are the most ambitious building projects we’ve overseen in recent years.”
Joanne Clague, registrar and COO at QUB, added: “These projects, which build on areas of our research strength, are key to our local economy as they focus on collaborative university-industry R&D to harness additional investment, create new jobs and accelerate inclusive growth.
“Working in partnership with industry, government and healthcare organisations, the centres will drive momentum in fields including advanced manufacturing, clinical research and secure, connected digital technologies through impact-focussed innovation to create global impact where it truly matters.”
Northern Ireland Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said the deal could be "a catalyst for innovation and prosperity for Northern Ireland" and expressed delight at the appointments.
“The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre will be a fantastic example of our higher education institutions collaborating with industry to unlock innovation and apply learnings to solve real-world challenges," he continued.
“AMIC, alongside the two other City Deal-funded projects that Queen’s is leading on, the Global Innovation Institute (GII) and the Institute of Research Excellence for Advanced Clinical Healthcare (iREACH), will link at scale into UK networks, helping to step up Northern Ireland’s innovation, skills and digital capabilities to deliver inclusive economic growth.
“This approach will deliver benefits for wider society, including job opportunities in the economy of the future, and aligns well with my Department’s 10X Economic Vision for a decade of innovation and growth.”
Planning for all three projects will take place in the coming months, with planning applications set to be lodged before the end of the year. GII and AMIC are expected to be completed in early 2025 and summer 2025, respectively, and iREACH is forecast to be operational by early 2026.
The £98m, 10,500 sq m AMIC at Global Point in Newtownabbey will be built in partnership with Ulster University and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and provide facilities for the NI Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE), which will be Northern Ireland's national centre for advanced engineering
"We are delighted to be working with Queen’s University on this exciting and important scheme, which will have a major impact on Northern Ireland’s engineering and technical skills to deliver inclusive economic growth," David Losty, director at Arcadis.
"With the creation of new jobs in the area and the focus on research, this project truly exemplifies our ethos of improving quality of life and we are really pleased to be involved."
The £58m GII will significantly expand the facilities at the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) and use secured connected intelligence to tackle challenges in the agri-food and health and life sciences sectors.
Anthony McNeill, director at Faithful+Gould, said: “We are proud to be working with the University on this landmark and innovative project, which is at the cutting edge of digital innovation in Northern Ireland.
"We have assembled a first-class design team to ensure that this facility will stand the test of time and drive forward Queen’s University’s position in the digital sector in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
The £52m iREACH beside Belfast City Hospital will be an NHS, industry and research facility, providing an environment to test new drugs, medical technology, care pathways and societal interventions.
Kevin McNaull, associate director at Turner & Townsend, said: "This world-class iREACH innovation centre plays a key role in the wider regeneration plans for the region.
"While leading on project and cost Management, BIM and health and safety advice, we have also formed a highly experienced, multi-disciplinary team comprising TODD Architects, Sheppard Robson and engineering experts, Arup.
"Our combined wealth of knowledge and expertise in the healthcare and life science sectors, as well as our digital led approach, will deliver a centre that will have a huge impact on the wider region and improve the lives of local people.”
Photo (l-r) Damien Toner, Director of Estates at Queen’s University; Anthony McNeill, Joanne Clague, Kevin McNaull, and David Losty of Arcadis.
