Detailed technical expertise makes Catalyst a trusted partner that we work with time and again.
Alan O’Brien, Construction Director and Founder for OBA Capital Partners.
As development managers, we aim to realise potential. We find a site and identify a use for it according to local demand and demographics, work to secure funding, and subsequently bring the project through design and planning to completion.
In this instance, we wanted to create a prestigious hotel in the busy market area of Dublin City. Construction of the hotel was potentially challenging, not least because the construction included a basement below ground level, but our vision was to produce a top-class hotel in a vibrant area that would transform the current location and add significant value.
Catalyst’s assigned certifier service is excellent and far more detailed than their peers.
Our approach at Dynamic People is hands-on, which means we’re involved in planning, but we’re also on-site, and we’re at design team meetings. This ensures that control of specifications and quality management runs through everything we do. Consequently, Catalyst is the perfect match for us.
The Catalyst team have a broad range of in-house technical expertise, so they are always able to advise on the best way to resolve a problem. They take inspections seriously and follow up to close out every issue. That makes them a trusted partner and we always insist on working with them.
I’ve been utilising Catalyst services since 2015 across a variety of projects. They’re my go-to provider for certification.
Before we appoint a contractor for a project, we always make it clear that we will be using Catalyst as our assigned certifier. This ensures that everyone knows what information they need to provide at each stage, including details from the contractor back to Catalyst, and from Catalyst back to the design team.
Occasionally, we have pushback from contractors or designers on using Catalyst’s Obi software, but we always stipulate it because it builds such a complete record of everything. At the end of the project, all the relevant details are available in one location so we use it right through to sign off on BCAR (Building Control Amendment Regulations).
Interestingly, on this project, we also engaged Catalyst to provide technical inspection services, which was a first for us. This was mandated by the insurer but funded by us, ensuring any potential risks were identified, addressed, and eliminated.
For example, when the contractor received queries from Catalyst as part of the technical inspection service, they were able to provide answers easily. All the information was contained within Obi so the contractors could close out queries quickly and efficiently.
Catalyst’s deep technical expertise, and their platform Obi, makes it easy to close out challenging issues.
From previous experience on other projects, technical inspection queries can involve several emails back and forth, making it more difficult to track information. With Obi, however, everything is streamlined because all communication takes place within one platform.
But it’s not just contractors that benefit from working with Catalyst. All partners involved in working on the Ruby Molly, East Aaron St. development saw the advantages of Catalyst’s Obi platform.
On this project, we worked with Ruby Hotels, who took out a 30-year lease on the structure. They wanted to go through a snagging process and they were able to issue their list through Catalyst. This went back via Obi, so it was easier for the contractor to fulfil the request.
We trust Catalyst with our snagging process because they know the high standard we require. It gives us huge peace of mind.
Beyond the construction process, our investors also felt the benefit of working with Catalyst. In this instance, the fund we engaged was keen to address EU Taxonomy to set out a sustainable finance framework for the development.
The Catalyst ESG team were able to walk us through the taxonomy criteria for projects that meet Net Zero commitments. They helped us, and our fund partners, to understand what’s involved by organising an education piece around EU Taxonomy alignment and what is coming down the tracks.
Catalyst’s straightforward advice took the stress out of Taxonomy and we were left feeling confident of what we needed to achieve.
As a result, we have managed to create something really exciting on the East Arran Street site. This safe, sustainable, and certified development will contribute to the rejuvenation of the Fruit Market area through increased footfall and new activity.
As such, this forward-looking investment will add value for years to come, and it came to fruition all the easier for working with the experienced team at Catalyst.
Image credit: Ruby Hotel