Belfast Hits the High Rise
Columnist
Civil engineer and transport planner Karen McShane reflects on Belfast’s growing skyline, the role of sustainable high-rise living, and how Northern Ireland contractors are delivering landmark regeneration projects at home and beyond.
Walking through the city of Belfast, you cannot fail to notice the buildings. Construction of new high-rise buildings will be the norm rather than the exception. Personally, I believe that if we are serious about achieving our climate change goals, we need more people living in our town and city centres.
With that in mind, I was delighted to assist with the planning of one development on Dublin Road. However, another scheme further along the same route, on the corner of the former MGM cinema site, towers above many of the others. The new 17-storey Kainos building is impossible to miss. Once complete, it will provide purpose-built student accommodation with 459 units, alongside communal facilities and dedicated amenity space.
Spanners on the side of the building identify GRAHAM, a Northern Ireland construction firm, as the contractor. I am often asked why GRAHAM do not just build bridges. While they are well recognised for heavy civil engineering structures, they have also completed the award-winning Nelson Street accommodation development at the junction of the Westlink, M2 and M3. That scheme includes university sporting facilities for the nearby Ulster University campus.
I also had the pleasure of assessing GRAHAM’s Millers Quay development in Birkenhead for an industry awards last year. Both projects demonstrate that our local contractors can successfully diversify into other types of construction, bringing valuable experience back to Northern Ireland.
Millers Quay is the flagship development at Wirral Waters and one of the UK’s largest brownfield regeneration projects. It delivered 500 high-quality apartments, including 100 affordable homes, not unlike the Dublin Road example in Belfast. GRAHAM delivered the project on time and within its £130 million budget.
The scheme exemplifies excellence in sustainability, innovation and social value. It achieved a £31 million Social Return on Investment and generated £44 million in spend with local suppliers. Developments like this do not just regenerate vacant urban land; they also deliver meaningful economic returns for local communities.
Millers Quay was recognised with multiple industry awards and has been widely praised for its collaborative approach, community impact, environmental leadership and delivery excellence. The project was completed with no reportable health and safety incidents.
Speaking to Peter Reavey and Graeme Moffat from the construction team, they told me that they felt a lasting impact, a happy client and a happy council. As they put it, only GRAHAM were bold enough to make it work with their can-do attitude.
I have also seen a clear uplift in health and safety standards and welfare facilities for construction workers, influenced by lessons learned by local firms delivering projects further afield. This can only be positive for the industry and will help reduce accident rates across our construction sites.
So, to answer the initial question, yes — our local contractors are innovative and capable of delivering whatever challenge we set them.
As we start a new year, I reflect on some of the highlights from the end of 2025. I must mention my good friend David Porter, who in November became the 161st President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, only the third person from Northern Ireland to achieve this honour. David and his ever supportive wife Wendy will put Northern Ireland firmly on the global stage during his year in office, and I wish them every success.
On a personal note, I was truly gobsmacked to receive the Special Recognition Award from Plant and Civil Engineer, described as a lifetime achievement award. The citation said that my contributions to civil engineering and transport, alongside my passion for positive social change, highlight a leadership influence that extends beyond project delivery. What a way to end 2025 and begin 2026.
Karen McShane Ltd
Albany House
73–75 Great Victoria Street
Belfast, BT2 7AF
Tel: +44 (0)28 9560 9798
Email: info@karenmcshane.co.uk
Web: www.karenmcshane.co.uk
