The Client Vision
Named Project Phoenix this was an extensive redevelopment of the 50 acre site which has been a Brewery for 250 years It was budgeted at €159 million It is designed to as a key part of Diageo’s sustainability journey to reduce emissions and waste and to improve efficiency.It Includes a brewhouse,fermentation block and new Waste Water Neutralisation Plant,It is one of the largest brewing projects worldwide and further embeds Guinness as a major linchpin of the City. Approximately 1,000 site workers were on site at peak construction.
Specific Challenges
Working on such a large and complex project demands careful planning and close attention to employee safety. The design and recreation of the gates was a complex procedure.Requiring liason with experts in materials such as wood, paint finishes and sign writing to meet the clients brief.
Overcoming The Challenges
In this Contract our MD Shane Winters worked closely with Brian Wilson Project Director with Sisks to ensure timing and safety issues were closely monitored,as well as co-ordinating deliveries and with other sub-contractors schedules
During construction Sisks used the old gates as site access points but they were in a poor condition and could not be repaired. Considerable research into appropriate materials for the gates that would be sustainable and require minimal maintenance was undertaken in consultation with the client,Sisks and the design team. The original gates differ in shape from the new ones having a downward curve, the new version is radiused upwards,this change is part of a Guinness rebranding where the Guinness name and logo have also undergone a change.We manufactured the steel frames in our factory and had the frames treated with our Plasgalv® Coating (full Hot Dip Galvanising and Powder Coating) which we would expect to be rust free for at least 50 years without maintenance,The gates were then transported to have the timber added by Glenn Wood, of Tullamore. An initial sealing treatment was applied in factory and the gates were finish painted and sign written on site.
As well as providing the gates we have carried out a number of subcontracts for fencing, railings and the manufacture and Installation of fire escapes and security bollards in the internal car parks,but the most interesting was the replacement of these two iconic gates along Victoria Quay.
Our involvement in The Guinness Brewery dates to the 1970s where we installed Palisade Security Fencing, and we have a number of other contracts successfully completed including the development of The Storehouse now Dublin’s most popular visitor attractions.
Positive Outcomes.
To be part of the memories and photo experiences of so many people who visit Dublin and St James Gate is a very satisfactory achievement for us as a company.
