£20 M regeneration scheme will bring new aparthotel to Belfast

A disused building on Belfast’s Ormeau Avenue is to be given a new lease of life as an upmarket aparthotel, bar and grillroom.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today announced that Nicholas and Paul Hill have been selected as the Department’s preferred developer for the former Armagh House building on Ormeau Avenue, Belfast. This follows a selection process managed by the Department’s Belfast Regeneration Office.

In an investment of £20 million, the developers will transform the former Government building into the “Drake ApartHotel” which will be an ‘upmarket’ 4/5 star aparthotel aimed at longer term visitors to Belfast who want the flexibility of apartment living with all the advantages offered by a hotel.

The “Drake”, which will complement its sister development, the Ten Square Hotel in Donegall Square, will include 30 lettable apartments including 2 penthouse suites. It is expected that the scheme will bring significant new jobs to the area with 71 full-time and 20 part-time jobs projected.

The Minister said: “The redevelopment of the old Armagh House building is a great opportunity to ensure the existing character of the area is retained while creating a significant new building on a prominent site in this area of the city.

“The Department’s selection process was extensive and I believe the proposal presented by Nicholas and Paul Hill offers an opportunity to create something ‘new’ for Belfast which will bring quality development, vitality and vibrancy to this area and long-term benefit to the local community through the creation of new employment opportunities. This project will therefore impact positively not only on the city but also on the adjacent Inner South Neighbourhood Renewal Area which includes Donegall Pass, Lower Ormeau and the Markets. The proposal has a strong regeneration focus and is fully in line with the Department’s Belfast City Centre Regeneration Policy Statement.”

Paul Hill said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected as the Department for Social Development’s preferred developer for this significant site in Belfast. Our previous experience with Galgorm Manor, and in particular the Ten Square development in nearby Donegall Square, was a determining factor in submitting a proposal for this site. This is a long-term commitment by us and we would intend to sympathetically restore and extend the old Armagh House building to produce a unique luxury development which will complement not only our own existing interests but the wider regeneration of this area of Belfast. I look forward to working closely with Belfast Regeneration Office and local interests as we take this exciting project forward.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Department for Social Development has statutory responsibility for urban regeneration. These statutory powers are exercised in the public interest by the Department to assist in the acquisition and assembly of lands for the purpose of development which will make best use of such land. Typically the Department can intervene to assist in the regeneration of rundown or underused areas.
2. The Department assessed the proposals with professional advisers including planners and valuers to select a preferred developer. The site will remain in the Department’s ownership until the developer completes the work to the required standard.
3. Subject to planning permission and other statutory approvals, it is hoped that work will begin in October 2008.
4. An artist’s impression of how the proposed re-development will look is available on the DSD website .
5. Media inquiries only to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9468. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.