JW O'Dowd Building Contractors

Two new projects added

Eric — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 10:51:13 +0000

We have just added one small and one large project to our website.

The small works project in Woodbridge started with substantial groundwork to create a parking terrace with space for a garden office. We also created an outdoor dining area and agricultural store. VIEW PROJECT

The larger project is a large detached riverside home with underground car parking. VIEW PROJECT

New project added

Eric — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:37:04 +0000

We have recently added a new project to our website. The Gallery Bar on the Ipswich waterfront is a cocktail and lounge bar with a true underground-vibe. We were commissioned to convert the building from an art gallery to a licensed premises with a bar, washrooms, catering access. etc. The launch of the bar was long delayed due to the pandemic but now you can, at last, visit in person or see the full project here.

Work With Us

Eric — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 09:23:44 +0000

With a growing portfolio of projects in the Ipswich, Woodbridge and Felixstowe area, we are very keen to hear from experienced carpenters and other site workers to join us on an employed or sub-contracting basis.

As an award-winning, family-led company in good standing and an excellent reputation, we offer a great future to those who join our team.

Please see our recruitment page for details.

Good progress on riverside build

Eric — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 09:31:40 +0000

Our project to build a new home on the bank of the River Deben at Waldringfield is going well. The substantial new home by Architect John Denny will offer commanding views over the river.

Work started at the beginning of the year with the demolition of the existing building. In order to keep the new building below a permitted height, we excavated to produce space for a basement garage.

We managed to obtain the last of an attractive but now rare Ibstock brick for the walls and chimneys and some beautifully toned clay tiles to create a distinctive roofscape. Heritage-grade rooflights were installed to provide natural light to the heart of the home.

The project will be completed by the Spring.

Small extension : Big impact

Eric — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 13:08:43 +0000

We have recently completed work on a relatively small extension which produced a big impact by enabling the integration of two existing rooms to produce a single large living space more suited to modern living.

You can read more about the project and see the photographs on the project page

Completion on large commercial project

Eric — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 10:33:45 +0000

We have recently handed-over one of our largest ever projects. The new warehouse, retail and office facility were commissioned by one of Suffolk’s oldest family companies, ER & RT Rackham Ltd of Wickham Market.

Where permitted, we worked through the COVID crisis to complete the building, carefully managing the project to ensure that Rackhams could continue to trade through the construction programme.

See more of this project…

Work starts on secret project

Eric — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 12:40:37 +0000

We have begun work transforming the old John Russell Art Gallery in Ipswich into a ‘Speakeasy’ bar recalling the days of prohibition. The gallery, that has been closed for over a year, will become a stylish cocktail bar referencing 1920’s America.

Award winner!

Eric — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 09:25:23 +0000

JW O’Dowd Ltd has won the RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship 2019 award for its work in transforming a tired Victorian-semi in Woodbridge into a contemporary home fit for the 21st Century.

The innovative design by Plaice Architects demanded substantial interior reconfiguration. This included reversal of the stairway, and removal of walls and ceilings to create an open-plan ground-floor and several double-height spaces all without disturbing the Victorian exterior in this important conservation area. You can see more of the project here.

Dockside Deli

Eric — Thu, 16 May 2019 12:30:31 +0000

We recently completed work on a new frontage for the Dockside Deli on the waterfront at Ipswich.

Where previously brick pillars obstructed the view of the Deli, we have created a much larger shop window which allows the sandwich bar and takeaway to better attract interest from passers-by.