HALO enterprise

The HALO appoints Morrison Construction as Phase 1 contractor

The HALO Urban Regeneration Company, today (Monday 16th September) announces Morrison Construction as its main contractor for Phase 1 of the HALO development in Kilmarnock – its Enterprise and Innovation Hub. After a comprehensive procurement process, Morrison Construction was awarded the multi-million pound contract which will see Scotland’s leading contractor

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Issue 325 : Feb 2025

HALO enterprise

The HALO announces appointment of Marketing Agents for Enterprise and Innovation Hub

The HALO Urban Regeneration Company today (14th May 2020) announces the joint appointment of two Marketing Agents for its Enterprise & Innovation Hub in Kilmarnock as the HALO enters its next phase. A £63m urban regeneration project on a 23-acre site, the HALO Kilmarnock, formerly the home of Johnnie Walker, will be the first town centre net zero carbon energy project in Scotland, setting the standard for low carbon energy sites across the UK. The ultimate vision is for a net zero dynamic commercial, educational, cultural, leisure and lifestyle quarter where people can ‘Live, Work, Learn and Play’. Leading agents Graham + Sibbald and CBRE have been appointed to lease out the 48,000 ft2 Grade A building set to open in Spring 2021. Upon completion, the HALO Kilmarnock will feature Gold score comms connectivity accreditation, a Breeam excellent rating alongside other state of the art technology and a diverse resilient comms detection system. Through a platinum partnership with Scottish Power the site will be fully powered by energy from the nearby Scottish Power Whitelee Wind farm. The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Hub will also feature an industry-leading digital, data and cyber training and learning facility within an exciting and digitally connected work space, establishing the HALO at the forefront of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” – the digital revolution. Drew Macklin, Development Director at the HALO Urban Regeneration Company, said: “Both Graham + Sibbald and CBRE have world class credentials and, as joint marketing agents for the HALO’s Enterprise & Innovation Hub, are perfectly placed to showcase our exciting project nationally and globally. “Their role will be to partner the HALO with dynamic, high growth young businesses who will benefit from the HALO’s unique ability to harness the latest digital technology in a net zero carbon energy environment.” Fraser Lang, Partner – Head of Ayrshire at Graham + Sibbald said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to lead the marketing of the HALO Enterprise and Innovation in Kilmarnock, a prestigious development which boasts net zero carbon energy credentials to take the property sector to the next level in Scotland at a time when Green Energy, Enterprise and Innovation has never mattered so much.” Andy Cunningham, Senior Director at CBRE, said: “We’re very excited to have been instructed to help expose the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Hub to a wider audience. It is an exceptionally innovative office development that will bring significant benefits to the local community. Speculative funding in the UK regional office markets is notoriously difficult to achieve, so it’s fantastic news to see this investment being made in Kilmarnock where the economic and social opportunities will be warmly welcomed. “The unique first-class facilities at the HALO Hub and the further amenities on offer in the wider development will undoubtedly spark significant interest among local, national and international occupiers and we look forward to sharing the opportunities with our extensive network.”

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The HALO appoints Morrison Construction as Phase 1 contractor

The HALO Urban Regeneration Company, today (Monday 16th September) announces Morrison Construction as its main contractor for Phase 1 of the HALO development in Kilmarnock – its Enterprise and Innovation Hub. After a comprehensive procurement process, Morrison Construction was awarded the multi-million pound contract which will see Scotland’s leading contractor start work at the HALO site by the end of this month. The HALO’s 45,635 sq. ft Enterprise and Innovation Hub with associated infrastructure works is expected to be completed by January 2021 with approximately 700 construction workers on site throughout construction. The HALO in Kilmarnock is a £63million brownfield urban regeneration project on a 23-acre site, formerly the home of Johnnie Walker, the world’s leading Scotch whisky. The HALO will provide a sustainable community approach to a low carbon mixed-use development providing jobs, economic growth, skills development, access to employment opportunities, clean energy and housing. The HALO’s Enterprise and Innovation Hub will include: A state-of-the-art building designed to maximise collaboration between entrepreneurs experimenting, creating and growing highly specialised digital and cyber businesses. Cutting-edge technology supported through a combination of dedicated sector-based suites that simulate the new working environment in areas such as health and social care. Facilities for virtual and augmented reality-based scenario training. “Living labs” to enable the innovation and evaluation of digital technology and skills that are emerging across society. A knowledge-sharing environment where established businesses and business angels can support emerging entrepreneurs. A unique learning environment providing opportunities through accredited courses with a facility to show-case developing products and processes enabling people of all ages to expand their knowledge and practical skills for living and working in a digital world. An entrepreneurial ecosystem intended to encourage the development of new digital and cyber security products and services. Responding in particular to the needs of the energy, health and space/aerospace sectors. Office and workspace for established companies looking to drive innovation through their organisations. Drew Macklin, Project Director at the HALO Urban Regeneration Company, said: “Today marks a huge milestone for the HALO as we announce Morrison Construction as the main construction contractor to deliver the Enterprise and Innovation Hub in Kilmarnock and start preparations for them to begin construction on site by the end of September. “The Enterprise and Innovation Hub will form part of the HALO’s dynamic commercial, educational, cultural, leisure and lifestyle quarter where people can live, work, learn and play. “With a strong track record of delivering major projects on time and within budget I look forward to Morrison Construction starting work on our exciting project.” Eddie Robertson, Managing Director at Morrison Construction, said: ‘‘We are delighted to be appointed the main contractor to build the Enterprise and Innovation Hub, a development that will revitalise the town centre and support the wider Ayrshire economy. ‘‘We look forward to working with our new client, The HALO Urban Regeneration Company, to successfully deliver this project that will drive growth in Kilmarnock and the surrounding areas. ‘‘Our experienced project team will soon establish site and begin works. During construction, we will engage with all stakeholders and provide education and employment opportunities as part of our progressive social value programme.’’ The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre (HEIC) will be BREEAM Outstanding –  a world class sustainability assessment method for master planning projects – to offer a high-spec flexible workplace environment for start-up and growing businesses. Last year, the HALO announced Scottish Power as its headline sponsor and this partnership will create a digital training and learning facility at the forefront of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”. The HALO subsequently also partnered with Barclays to develop the entrepreneurship and employability skills of young people and adults across Scotland through the bank’s LifeSkills programme.

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