Information technology company Allstate has opened a £30 million office building- the largest single office development for 15 years in NI.
Located next to Belfast Central Station, the six-floor Laganside complex was officially opened on Thursday by Secretary of State Karen Bradley.
The 140,000sq ft office was built over the duration of 2 years on a site bought from Belfast City Council for around £1.7m. Extensive refurbishment of the towpath, adjacent boat marina and a restaurant were additionally also part of the project.
Housing 1,500 staff, the building provides providing technology, cybersecurity, business and accountancy services to its parent company.
John Healy, managing director of Allstate Northern Ireland, John Healy said: “The building delivers a stimulating, collaborative working environment for employees.
“The impressive design fits the requirements of our world-class organisation and supports our outstanding employees in defining, delivering and maintaining technology now and for the future.”
With additional NI offices in Londonderry and Strabane, Allstate employs 2,200.
Ms Bradley praised Allstate yesterday for their foreign direct investment stating: “Allstate has been instrumental in showing that, with ambition and vision, a company can grow their workforce tenfold.
“Not only have they created one of Northern Ireland’s first major IT inward investors, but they have tapped into the wealth of talent that the Northern Ireland workforce provides to overseas investors, providing high-quality jobs across Belfast and the north west.
“By continually investing in their staff, and their research and development into IT excellence, the team are at the forefront of digital innovation.”
Alastair Hamilton, Invest NI chief executive said: “We would not be where we are in the IT industry today in Northern Ireland were it not for Allstate.”
