£200 MILLION VISION FOR VICTORIA SQUARE UNVEILED

THE Dutch developers behind the regeneration of Victoria Square in Belfast unveiled their vision of how Belfast would look after their £200 million project is completed.

Multi Development Corporation (MDC) revealed the new look for the city as part of its detailed Planning Application submission for the 800,000 sq ft scheme, which borders Victoria Street, William Street, Chichester Street and Ann Street.

The images revealed this week, show a new 200,000 square ft department store, where IDB House is currently located, at the corner of Victoria and Chichester Streets.

A giant glass dome encloses Victoria Square, where 50,000 sq ft of gourmet catering will be located with roof top gardens and a proposed 40,000 sq ft Centre for Curiosity and Imagination (Children’s Library) will be situated.

There is also car park spacing for around 1,000 cars and Churchill house will be completely refurbished as part of the plan.

Nico Veldhuis, Managing Director of MDC said: “These images clearly demonstrate why our plans for Victoria Square are the leading urban regeneration project in Europe. With this Planning Application we have indicated that we wish to proceed on site as early as possible.

“The scheme will provide 500,000 sq ft of shopping, together with 200,000 sq ft for other uses including the new Children’s library, health club, restaurants and residential. Our goal is to help Belfast to develop as a 24-hour city with a thriving new retail centre incorporating an internationally-renowned department store, restaurants, bars, a health club, housing, offices and a car park.”

MDC want to start work next July and finish by summer 2005. Objections to the planning application are expected and this will extend the process from six to nine months. (AMcE)