Minister heralds completion of construction work on the Victoria Square development scheme

Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie today celebrated a key milestone for the Victoria Square Development Scheme with the completion of the superstructure of the 800,000 sq ft development.

At a ceremony held on site, she joined Multi-Development and Farrans Gilbert Ash to mark the occasion by placing the last piece of glass into the Victoria Square Dome.

She commented: “This is a decisive milestone. Victoria Square is already transforming the heart of the city. The glass Dome can now be seen from all angles in the city centre – already a truly iconic symbol of Victoria Square.”

The Department for Social Development selected the Victoria Square as a Comprehensive Development Scheme in July 2000. Since then, the Department has worked closely with the Developer, Multi Development, to assist with site assembly and to maximise the community and business opportunities that the scheme will bring.

Minister Ritchie continued: “I am confident that this Scheme will make a difference to our city. The high quality retail and lively evening entertainment will not only attract Belfast residents but people from across the North and further afield.

“With the main construction complete, the priority is now final fit out and leasing, with the Scheme completed and opening in March 2008. I have seen at first hand the scale and quality of the Scheme and the commitment of all those working together to secure the regeneration of the heart of Belfast.

“You only have to look around to see the skyline of cranes across the city to know that Belfast is being regenerated. My Department is at the heart of this work, including on the £16million ‘Belfast: Streets Ahead’ programme to make over the city streets and spaces. I want to see all this work bring Belfast into the premier league of European regional cities.

“This celebration has whet our appetite for what’s ahead and I look forward to the opening in March 2008."

Notes to Editors:

1. Margaret Ritchie will attend the celebration tonight from 5pm. Media enquiries and interview bids to DSD Information Office 028 9082 9078 / 07818 035 258.
2. Victoria Square was initially chosen by the Minister for Social Development in July 2000 as the site for a major redevelopment in the centre of Belfast following an assessment of four potential projects.
3. The Department officially adopted the Victoria Square Development Scheme in January 2003 and has worked closely with the developer, Multi Development, to bring this privately- funded £320million investment to fruition.
4. The development of Victoria Square will lead the way in making the regeneration of Belfast City Centre a reality, creating over half a million square feet of prime retail space, including high quality department stores, together with apartments, restaurants and leisure facilities, open space and car parking.
5. The overall scale, concept, design and variety of the project will help strengthen the position of Belfast City Centre as a premier regional shopping destination, well placed to compete with other European cities, whilst also providing a high quality safe urban environment, equally attractive to investors, employees, residents and visitors.
6. The largest single investment of its kind ever made in Belfast, the Victoria Square Scheme is expected to provide 3,000 jobs during the three year construction period and another 3,000 permanent jobs, not all additional, in businesses in the Victoria Square Development when it opens.
7. The development will open its doors to business in March 2008.