Economy Minister Arlene Foster today laid the final brick at a special ‘topping out’ ceremony at the CityEast development, which will offer accommodation for up to 90 jobs.
The new offices are sited near the junction of Newtownards Road, Middlepath Street and Short Strand (the former Kwikfit site).
The 25,000 square foot building, which is due to open in Spring 2009, was developed by East Belfast Enterprise (EBE) and funded with EU Peace and Reconciliation funds, provided through the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI) and the International Fund for Ireland (IFI).
Arlene Foster said: “The £2.9 million CityEast development can help stimulate economic growth in a part of the city that was once the industrial heartland of Northern Ireland.
“The creation of 68 new hi-spec workspace units in East Belfast can have a regenerating impact in the area, providing the potential for the creation of 90 jobs, as well as encouraging local entrepreneurship.
“We are undoubtedly facing very challenging global economic conditions, in the short term at least. However, the Executive has made the economy a top priority, and I believe a key to maintaining a sustainable future for Northern Ireland is encouraging growth of local businesses here.”
Known as the ‘Gateway to the East’, the ‘CityEast’ structure stands in the shadow of the iconic Harland and Wolff cranes, Sampson and Goliath, which dominate the Belfast skyline.
Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be part of today’s ‘topping out’ ceremony and to see this enterprise building so far advanced. The fund’s aim is to create the conditions where businesses can flourish and this project, with the potential to provide up to 90 jobs, is a perfect example of this.
“I’d like to acknowledge the generous support of our international donors, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, without whom we could not continue to fund projects like this.
“The new premises will have an enormously positive impact on the economic regeneration in this area and I look forward to the official opening of this building next Spring.”
Speaking at the ceremony EBE Chairman, Mervyn Hempton, said: “The completion of this impressive new five-storey office block in the shadow of the shipyard will herald the economic rebirth of East Belfast.
“This development will have a substantial impact as it will provide jobs for local people and office space to local businesses. This part of the city has seen some difficult years, and for some time there has been a lack of small affordable units on short term lease in East Belast. This development presents an opportunity to transform the Lower Newtownards Road into the economic hub of the city. We believe that a positive new future is about to emerge.”
Notes to Editors:
- Construction on the CityEast development began earlier this year. For more information visit The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment website
- The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is responsible for delivering the Economic Revitalisation Measure of the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2000-2006 (Peace II).
- The Enterprise development will comprise some 25,000sq ft in total, providing 20,000sq ft of lettable space. It will comprise some 30 units, varying in size from 150sq ft to 1,000sq ft.
- The International Fund for Ireland is an international organisation established by the Irish and British Governments in 1986 with the objectives of promoting economic and social advance and of encouraging contact, dialogue and reconciliation between unionists and nationalists throughout Ireland. Contributors to the Fund are the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Since its inception, the fund has committed more than £589 m/EUR 845 m to a wide variety of projects in Northern Ireland and the border counties.
- East Belfast Enterprise Limited is the Local Enterprise Agency for East Belfast. It embraces the brands and programmes EBE, Virtual Secretary Programme, Learn 2 Earn, Start A Business Programme, New Deal Self Employment and Tradelinks through its offices at 308 Albertbridge Road, Belfast.
- CityEast will be a catalyst for the development of the Newtownards Road. It forms part of the Newtownards Road 2012 Project - led by the East Belfast Partnership – which is progressing a number of initiatives including encouragement for Living over the Shops, and shop frontage and environmental improvement schemes. Other initiatives include a significant mixed use development at an East Belfast Mission site to include housing, office units and an FE College and further housing adjacent to Pitt Park as well as the development of a green space and a civic square at Holywood Arches.
- For media enquiries, please contact DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager Number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
