Hotel Development Approved

Planning approval has been given for the £12m development of a new hotel in a listed building in Belfast city centre.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has recommended planning approval for the conversion of the Scottish Mutual Building, which sits opposite Belfast City Hall.

Listed building consent has also been approved to sympathetically convert the Grade B1 Listed Building into a "boutique hotel".

The project is being brought forward by Tullymore House Limited, which owns and runs the Galgorm Resort and Spa in Cullybackey, Ballymena. Tullymore bought the site last year.

The Donegall Square location is within the Linen Conservation Area, meaning the building played a prominent role in Belfast's thriving linen industry at the beginning of the twentieth century. The building is over 100 years old and dates back to 1904. Currently it is partially occupied.

The development will retain all of the original features. There will be two bars and two restaurants on the ground and first floors and 40 hotel bedrooms and 10 serviced apartments on the upper three floors.

There are also plans for a large, seated function room for more than 120 people on the second floor, in addition to a further two smaller function rooms to accommodate either private dining, business events or other functions.

The upper three floors in the 42,000 square foot, five-storey building will be upgraded to accommodate up to 40 hotel bedrooms and 10 serviced apartments.

The company estimates the redevelopment could support up to 180 full and part–time jobs once up and running, which are additional to the estimated 100 jobs that could be supported during design, building and fit-out stages.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: "This is welcome news for Belfast City Centre. The significant investment demonstrates a confidence in the local economy. This boutique style accommodation will boost tourism by enhancing the choice for tourists, business travellers and local people.

"The plans to convert this beautiful building sympathetically will restore it to full use and ensure that it remains an historic landmark within the Linen Conservation Area of Belfast City Centre. The work will also bring construction jobs in the short term and full and part time jobs when up and running."

Colin Johnston, Project Manager, said: "We’re delighted that the Department of Environment’s planning department and Environment Minister Mark H Durkan have given us the formal go-ahead to proceed with our plans to sympathetically restore the Scottish Mutual building into a luxury, boutique hotel which will accommodate the hospitality needs of everyone in the city.

"These plans have been carefully based on our belief that we can add real value and worth by turning this landmark building into a contemporary and stylish venue which will sit comfortably alongside the city’s best hotels, and our commitment to deliver a top quality offering that will continually exceed the expectations of our guests.

"We look forward to starting work and watching the hotel take shape as this impressive building once again becomes a landmark for the city centre."

Tullymore House Limited plans to invest in the region of £12m in the project, with the aim of completing works in the summer of 2016.

(IT)