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UK: Castlebrooke Investments’ has revealed plans for its £195 million North Street-Donegall Street project in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.
The developer has scaled back plans for the development of a new area, which would have been called Tribeca.
The revised plans will create a new residential neighbourhood on Donegall Street and North Street.
The project would bring around 1,000 new homes, including rented, social and affordable accommodation; two four-star hotels and up to 100,000 square feet of mixed commercial and community space, including shops, restaurants, cafes and services.
It would also involve the restoration of five listed buildings, and the construction of a new street, Long Lane, which the developers said would restore a view to St Anne’s Cathedral from North Street.
Estimates prepared by Oxford Economics suggest the project has the potential to be worth £195 million in gross value added (GVA) during construction, with 2,600 jobs supported in this period.
Residential development would create 470 permanent full-time jobs, with commercial development adding a further 600, along with more than £10m in annual visitor spending.
Once complete, it is estimated that the scheme will support £60 million in GVA annually.
The BTR element of the scheme will provide around 275 homes in a tower of up to 17 storeys.
Gerry Hughes, who leads the team designing the scheme on behalf of Castlebrooke, said: “This is a major opportunity to bring new life back to one of the most historically significant parts of Belfast city centre. Our vision is for a new residential neighbourhood where people are at the heart of the design, a place with new homes, new streets, new public space and new activity.
“Belfast needs more homes, and we believe this is the right place for a new neighbourhood: close to jobs, education, culture, transport, and the life of the city centre. We want to create a place that feels rooted in Belfast, blending heritage with quality, world-class design. The scheme proposes new and improved routes, allowing easy movement to and through the area, revitalised public squares and vibrant, inclusive spaces for residents and visitors. The plans include restoration of a number of listed buildings, preserving as much of Belfast’s heritage as possible for future generations,” he added.
A public consultation is currently under way. Feedback on the proposals will be considered ahead of the submission of a full planning application in the autumn.
Castlebrooke Investments said: “Once planning approval is granted, the first aspect of the development likely to be delivered is the hotel on Royal Avenue in late 2027, with negotiations with potential operators currently underway.”
Highlights:
- Castlebrooke Investments’ has revealed plans for its £195 million North Street-Donegall Street project in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter
- The project would bring around 1,000 new homes, including rented, social and affordable accommodation; two four-star hotels and up to 100,000 square feet of mixed commercial and community space
- The BTR element of the scheme will provide around 275 homes in a tower of up to 17 storeys
- A public consultation is currently under way. Feedback on the proposals will be considered ahead of the submission of a full planning application in the autumn
