Plans include potential for a rooftop food and drinks area overlooking the city.
Regeneration plans for the former Belfast BHS store in the city centre have been revealed.
The former BHS store located on Castle Lane in the city centre has been sitting empty since 2016. This followed the high street chain entering administration.
The new site will help Belfast City Centre recover from the difficulties of the past year and bring some life back to the city.
A new retail and leisure destination – attracting people into the city
Regeneration plans for the former Belfast BHS store include various retail and leisure facilities. The 70,000 sq ft (6500 sq m) site is to become one of Belfast’s must-visit destinations.
One of the most exciting aspects of the plan is a potential rooftop bar area for food and drink. This will allow customers to relax and enjoy good food and drinks in a city-centre location. Plus, they’ll have great views of Belfast.
A multi-use building – modelled after the building’s past
Investments company Alterity have brought forward the long-awaited redevelopment plans for the site.
Alterity Investments proposed a plan to make the site into a multi-use building. They plan to subdivide the ground floor into several retail units comprising various shops. Simultaneously, they plan to use the three upper floors for leisure facilities.
Subject to planning, proposals include improvements to the aesthetics of the Castle Arcade area. Plans include re-cladding the exterior of the former BHS building and constructing a new oversail section.
Belfast-based company Like Architects looked to the city’s past when designing the building’s new façade. Architects took inspiration from the former Gaumont Theatre, a fitting nod to the city’s history.
Modernising the city – a major regeneration project
Commercial Director of Alterity Investments Richard Faloon said he is “delighted” to reveal the plans.
He said, “We are delighted to reveal plans to help strengthen Belfast City Centre’s offering with the redevelopment of the BHS site.
“We believe the site has the potential to regenerate the commercial and retail vibrancy of this critical section of the city.
“We hope to maintain and strengthen the distinctive position of Belfast City Centre to enable it to perform its role as the primary shopping centre of the region to promote a sustainable, vital, and vibrant city centre.”
One of many plans to reinvigorate the city – other Belfast projects
The regeneration plans for the former Belfast BHS store are only one of the exciting projects unveiled for the city in recent months.
Digital technology company Kainos will lease its Bankmore Square site to open ‘Box Office’. ‘Box Office’ is a street food and retail pop-up market, where vendors will operate from shipping containers.
There are also plans for the former Debenhams space in Castlecourt to become a leisure destination.
So, there are plenty of exciting things planned for Northern Ireland in the coming years. Which are you most excited about?
