Leader – Julie Raistrick , managing director of steel firm Finley Structures , which is working on the Milburngate development for main contractors Tolent .
How huge structures are reshaping Durham ’ s Riverwalk
“ The Milburngate contract is a fantastic project for us in terms of its local significance , but it ’ s also one which means a lot to us personally ."
Steel fabricated here in the North-East is reshaping the skyline in beautiful Durham city . Tolent were appointed main contractors for the 450,000 sq ft , £ 120m mixed-use Milburngate development in Durham in 2019 . And despite the challenges of Covid , huge structures have continued to go up , changing the viewpoint from the air and on the ground , against a picturesque backdrop that includes Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral on the banks of the River Wear .
And the steel that is forming those structures for the development is being fabricated just a few miles down the road in Newton Aycliffe .
It was another proud moment for Finley Structures after they were awarded the landmark Milburngate contract – the family firm ’ s largest project to date in terms of weight .
After a tremendous amount of hard work by Finley ’ s estimating and design team , the company ’ s long-term partners Tolent awarded them the 3,200-tonne project .
When completed , Milburngate will feature an attractive mix of offices , apartments , bars , restaurants , a cinema and a hotel to cover every need of those lucky enough to benefit from it .
The hotel element of the project , built for international provider Premier Inn , recently reached a significant milestone with the completion of the steel frame , right on schedule , to enable following trades to complete the impressive fit out process , due for completion in 2022 .
The remainder of the development ’ s structures form standalone blocks , sitting atop podium structures made from a mixture of Finley fabricated steelwork and in situ concrete .
These individual elements of work are also advancing on time and the progress – visible from almost all corners of the city – shows just how impressive this project ’ s size , scale and complexity are and how Finley Structures continue to overcome any obstacles encountered to ensure the smooth and timely hand over to follow on trades despite the challenges faced by the ever-present Covid-19 pandemic .
Finley Structures and Tolent have worked together for almost 15 years , with their first collaboration on the Gosforth multi-storey car park project coming in 2007 .
Other projects included the Nifco factory at Eaglescliffe , which was completed in 2011 , and the Marks & Spencer store at Faverdale in Darlington three years ago .
Finley ’ s managing director Julie Raistrick said : “ The Milburngate contract is a fantastic project for us in terms of its local significance , but it ’ s also one which means a lot to us personally .
“ The Finley family has significant ties to Durham , with founder John Finley born and brought up less than 10 miles from the site and Val Finley right on the doorstep in Durham city itself .
“ For us to get the opportunity to work on this hugely important , once-in-a-generation local development – which is changing the skyline of Durham , and will benefit an incredible number and range of residents and visitors for many years to come – is a testament to the strengths and capabilities the business has proven in our now 20- year operation .
“ We are delighted to be working again with Tolent , which started as a small , privately owned business back in 1983 .”
Michael Rutherford is project manager for Tolent on Milburngate .
With construction set to continue throughout the year , the lifting of Covid restrictions will come as a relief to the Team Valley-based construction giants .
“ By the middle of 2021 we will have a workforce of up to 450 people on site and in excess of 1,000 individual rooms where people will be working in close contact with each other ,” said Michael .
“ The challenges also come with welfare facilities . People have to get washed , changed and they need somewhere to sit and eat .
“ We have tripled the size of our facilities to accommodate this increase in workforce .”
Find out more : milburngate . co . uk tolent . co . uk finleystructures . co . uk
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