The successful construction of the new look social housing development in Gallowgate Street in Largs required 'bold design' concepts due to challenging technical issues, builders have revealed.

It is an imposing sight on the seafront and includes new retail, commercial space and 12 amenity flats in a five storey building, and it replaces the former Victoria Hotel which existed for over 80 years.

The project was for Cunninghame Housing Association and developed by RDK Construction with Stewart Associates as architects and ATK Partnership as structural engineers.

It was a design-build contract with RDK Construction Ltd, Cunninghame Housing Association and Taylor Developments.

RDK Construction Ltd. was formed in 1992 and is operated by brothers Billy and Robert Kirkwood.

Billy has described some of the aspects involved in replacing the former Victoria Hotel pub which was demolished to make way for the modern build.

Speaking in trade publication Scottish Construction Now, Billy said: “This has been one of the most challenging projects we have undertaken to date. The building was constructed over the footprint of the former hotel with a ground level structural steel frame. The upper four storey structural timber kit was manufactured off-site by us at our production facility with all deliveries to site occurring on a phased storey by storey basis.”

“Both Robert and I have combined experience of over 80 years in the construction industry and try to push the boundaries of quality and design with each project. I would like to thank the project architect, Andy Kitson, from Stewart Associates and Colin Anderson, the project structural engineer from the ATK Partnership for their input. This was a bold design with many technical issues from a build perspective, but as a solution-driven company we relished the challenge as part of the delivery process.”

The seafront pub and restaurant has been in existence for Largs for over 80 years, although it has been closed since 2009, after it was a busy entertainment venue for live music acts including The Alarm, Colin Hay of Men at Work fame, Spencer Davis of 'Keep on Running' fame, and many others.

It was also a highly popular venue in the 80s and 90s with its popular upstairs Vodka bar.

However, the rotting eyesore site has fallen into a state of disrepair, and although a planning application for a multi-level super pub and restaurant was lodged with North Ayrshire Council around five years ago, it never came to fruition.

The Victoria Hotel was demolished in July 2017 to pave the way for the state of the art new modern build.

Pic: Four of the Stewart Associates team are pictured in the lounge of the top floor flat.