London has proved a springboard to international success for Northern Ireland-based fit-out specialists Portview who are riding the wave of a recent upturn in the economy.
The Belfast company has now completed several prestigious projects for global brands in some of the world's major cities such as New York. The most recent contract was for designer brand Oscar de la Renta's concept store in Manhattan.
Portview Fit-Out won the job following its successful interior refit-out of the iconic brand's first concept store in Mayfair earlier this year - the first to in the world to showcase the latest design and specification.
Meanwhile, the company's quality workmanship and project management at The Whisky Shop in Piccadilly also resulted in a contract to fit out the premium drinks emporium's Manchester outlet in Exchange Street - the heart of the retail area.
The Portview team had to fit out the 600 sq ft store with key elements such as the angel wings which are a signature symbol of The Whisky Shop brand as well as installing electrical works, a new sound system, new shop front, flooring and units and glass display vitrines.
Project Manager John McMahon explained: "Portview's quality workmanship at The Whisky Shop's London store won the company this contract."
In New York, construction at Oscar de la Renta's newest store in the city's upmarket shopping district is well underway with American builders on site since March, and Portview Fit-out has been co-ordinating the build from the province with weekly conference calls.
Oscar de la Renta which has an existing 150 sq m store in the designer area, acquired an adjacent 170 sq m unit and will combine the two to more than double the sales area for the new high spec outlet.
Portview's Contracts Director, Sean McEvoy, said: "The existing store is being extended and we are co-ordinating that process from Northern Ireland because of our experience with the first Oscar de la Renta store in London."
Working with global brands has become stock in trade for Portview Fit-Out due to its impressive combination of craftsmanship and discretion when it comes to working with clients of this stature.
