Ł8 Million Facelift For College Avenue And King Street

27 September 2005
Ł8 MILLION FACELIFT FOR COLLEGE AVENUE AND KING STREET
Belfast's College Avenue and King Street are to get an Ł8 million makeover, creating 95 apartments and three shops.
The site, a former surface car park, was acquired by the Belfast Regeneration Office, part of the Department for Social Development.
Recognising its regeneration potential and the opportunity to create a gateway to the city centre from the west, the Department successfully marketed the site for redevelopment.
Following an open competition, SP Graham Ltd. was selected as the preferred developer and planning approval was secured earlier this month. Work on the first phase of the site is expected to begin in early January 2006.
Social Development Minister, David Hanson MP said: "This new development, added to the earlier redevelopment of nearby Francis Street, will bring new life and business opportunities to this part of the city, with the increased potential to attract further private sector investment.
"The sympathetic redevelopment of this area is crucial as it is an important gateway connecting the City Centre to North and West Belfast. We want to strengthen the area and bring direct economic tourism and leisure benefits to the adjoining residential communities.
"Last month I approved the Masterplan for the North West Quarter which covers CastleCourt Shopping Centre, Smithfield Market, Millfield, North Street, Royal Avenue and Castle Street. Earlier this month I issued a development brief to Westfield Shoppingtowns seeking their views on the market potential and regeneration of this area and look forward to receiving their proposals in the next three months.
"DSD officials will liaise closely with SP Graham Ltd. to ensure that the developer's plans for College Avenue dovetail with the comprehensive development of the wider North West Quarter".
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The development site at College Avenue/King Street was originally marketed by Belfast Regeneration Office via a developer's brief with five developers submitting their proposals.
2. The final North West Quarter Masterplan and summary of the responses received during the public consultation is available on the DSD website at www.dsdni.gov.uk.
3. For media enquiries please contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.

Click here to print this press release.