MCLAUGHLIN & Harvey has commenced work on the build of The Royal and Ancient (R&A) Golf Club’s new global headquarters at St Andrews West.
The purpose-built facility at the home of golf will comprise of four storeys, including meeting areas, primary work spaces, and café amenities, whilst the basement will feature an underground parking facility.
Sitting a short distance from The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse, one of the most historic buildings in sport, the club’s function and those of The R&A will remain ‘inextricably linked’, McLaughlin & Harvey said.
R&A staff are currently working from five different buildings across St Andrews, with the new global HQ set to bring them all together in a flexible, adaptable, and collaborative working environment.
Throughout the duration of the build, The R&A and McLaughlin & Harvey will engage with the local community across a number of social value initiatives. This will include educational outreach with primary schools on sustainability and environmental awareness, developing opportunities for local employment, volunteering in community projects, and collaborating with Madras College to identify young people keen to take part in a construction work academy.
Ground was broken to mark the start of construction by David Rickman MBE, who led on the planning for the development of the staff building before retiring from The R&A after a 37-year career in golf administration last October.
Operations director at McLaughlin & Harvey, Robbie Clark commented, “We are honoured to have been awarded the contract to construct the new Global Headquarters for The R&A in St Andrews, the historic home of golf. As a main contractor with a long history of working throughout the UK, we have developed ongoing relationships with many blue-chip companies, including several high-profile sporting organisations.
“Adding The R&A to our portfolio of valued clients represents an exciting opportunity for our business to work with a worldwide brand and ensure their aspirations for their new Global Headquarters are met in full. Our team is committed to working collaboratively with The R&A and the wider project team to deliver a facility that not only meets the highest standards of sustainable design, but also provides a first-class environment for The R&A’s staff and visitors for decades to come.”
Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A, added, “Today is an exciting development for the future of the organisation as we begin work on our Global Headquarters, marking an important milestone of the project in moving from planning to construction. We are creating an environment that will reflect the role, work and heritage of The R&A and provide a collaborative space for employees and visitors to enjoy. The new Global Headquarters signals our commitment to the town of St Andrews and will place a focus on wellbeing and sustainability, and be highly enabled by technology.
“We want it to be known throughout the world as a distinctive destination for our affiliates and partners, effectively the hub of our global work to ensure golf is thriving 50 years from now.”
