Allstate lays foundations for future with biggest office in build in 15 years

US based global company Allstate has further cemented its relationship with Northern Ireland with the laying of a foundation stone at its new headquarters on the banks of the River Lagan.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jul 2016, 17:28 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:37 BST
Mr Hamilton pictured at the site with Allstate NI MD John Healy and Executive V-P Suren GuptaMr Hamilton pictured at the site with Allstate NI MD John Healy and Executive V-P Suren Gupta
Mr Hamilton pictured at the site with Allstate NI MD John Healy and Executive V-P Suren Gupta

Minister for the Economy Simon Hamilton joined Suren Gupta, Allstate executive vice president, and John Healy, Allstate NI managing director to lay the foundation stone at the new Belfast Headquarters building.

Allstate’s 1,300 Belfast based employees will make the new headquarters their home by January 2018.

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Built over six floors the offices will feature large, sociable working spaces, a restaurant, outdoor terrace and high tech software development labs.

“Allstate has been a significant part of the business landscape here for almost 20 years,” said Mr Hamilton.

“It’s great to see that the company is continuing to invest in Northern Ireland. The fact they are choosing to locate this impressive headquarters in Belfast demonstrates confidence in our highly educated workforce, competitive cost base and our research and development capability.

“This is further proof that Northern Ireland is an attractive base for award winning international companies.”

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Stating that Allstate had taken part in innovative research and development projects in conjunction with local universities, he said he was delighted that research and development labs were a key part of the new building.

“This work takes advantage of the research expertise and capability available in Northern Ireland and I am sure this will be of strategic benefit to the Allstate business globally.”

Mr Gupta said the province was an excellent source for talent and that local employees played a vital role in its development and growth.

“Our investment in this new flagship office in Belfast demonstrates our commitment to Northern Ireland,” he said.

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Managing director in Belfast, John Healy, said: “The new Belfast office will be a ground-breaking facility for Allstate.

“The new development increases the size of our current Belfast office and gives us the opportunity to create an inspirational working space fit for a world-class technology organisation with a commitment to innovation, imagination and building digital technology of the future.

“Technology will be at the heart of our progressive new workspace, and it will give everyone at Allstate NI the freedom to work creatively and collaboratively.”

Allstate has worked with architects WDR-RT-Taggart and construction company O’Hare & McGovern to create the new HQ.

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The new building represents a total construction investment of tens of millions of pounds, will sustain 150 construction jobs for two years and will provide a much needed stimuli for the local economy.

The new building, located between Central Station and the River Lagan includes over 140,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office space, extensive refurbishment of the towpath and adjacent marina and a restaurant unit at ground level.

Related topics:AllstateNorthern IrelandBelfastSimon Hamilton