Belfast residents invited to comment on £100m visitor attraction design

The public in Belfast is invited to provide feedback on the conceptual design for a new £100 million visitor attraction planned for the city. Named “Belfast Stories,” this centre intends to showcase the city’s history, current state, and future prospects through the use of words, images, and audio. Its anticipated opening is by 2030, and it will be situated at the former Bank of Ireland premises, located at the intersection of Royal Avenue and North Street. The conceptual design for the centre has been made public, and residents of Belfast are encouraged to offer their comments. Should the project proceed, it would establish a second significant attraction in the city, complementing the existing Titanic Belfast visitor centre. The design plan incorporates the preservation of the current bank building. Surrounding and within this structure, there will be galleries dedicated to narrating Belfast’s stories, alongside a creative hub, a roof garden, and various event areas. Wendy Langham, the programme director for Belfast Stories, stated her aspiration for the initiative to foster community cohesion, stimulate tourism, and elevate the city’s global standing. Regarding the preliminary design, she commented: “These are early concepts so it means that we can still make changes.” She further added: “We’re out to public consultation because we want to hear the voices of people across the city.” Langham emphasized: “They can influence what is actually going to be in Belfast Stories when we open in 2030.” The target for commencing construction is 2027. Proposals to transform the historic building, originally constructed in the 1920s, into a contemporary visitor destination were initially disclosed three years prior. The former bank occupies only a segment of the entire site, which spans nearly 5,000 sq m and is adjacent to the current Belfast Central Library. Ms. Langham remarked: “This is one of the beautiful heritage buildings of the city.” She continued: “It is referred to as the Angel of the City or the Little Empire because allegedly it is modelled on the Empire State building (in New York) so it’s one of the very few Art Deco buildings left and we need to protect that for future generations.” She expressed confidence that the necessary funding for the project would be obtained. Following the finalization of its design and cost, the project will require official endorsement, encompassing planning permission. The creative hub is intended for use by writers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers. A significant objective is to draw visitors to the facility, with an annual target of 700,000 individuals. Belfast’s Lord Mayor, Micky Murray, conveyed his belief that the centre has the potential to “revolutionise” a section of central Belfast. He stated: “Belfast Stories is a project that our city has been crying out for and it’s being made possible thanks to the Belfast region city deal investment.” The architectural design team for Belfast Stories comprises a collaboration between Snøhetta, based in Oslo, and TODD architects, based in Belfast. Ryan Murphy, the former Lord Mayor from Sinn Féin, previously pledged that the city’s history would be presented “warts and all.” The period for public consultation will extend for 14 weeks, concluding on 23 February of the upcoming year.