Developer unveils apartments plan for listed Belfast city centre building
THE developer behind a bid to transform a listed building in Belfast city centre has revealed its artistic vision for the project.
Castlebrooke Investment is seeking to construct 24 apartments at the corner of Garfield Street and North Street in a project that would include retail and cafe units.
The visuals for what the company calls the Garfield & North project were unveiled yesterday by Colliers Residential.
London-based Castlebrooke claimed its development will protect and regenerate the exist- ing structure, but conservation campaigners have expressed concerns over the company’s plans. Save CQ, which has the backing of playwright Martin Lynch, has said while it accepts the area needs investment, any development must “complement, enhance and integrate” with the area.
Estelle Hunt, director at Castlebrooke Investments, said yesterday: “We have been looking forward to revealing some of the specific plans we have for the listed buildings on our site for some time.
“Garfield & North will bring an exceptionally high standard of living to the heart of Belfast at a time when demand is growing.
“We have already started work to protect and preserve this listed building.
“We will be undertaking a sensitive regeneration project which will bring one of Belfast’s most treasured built heritage assets back into use.”
Aaron Russell, director of residential at Colliers International, added: “Our mid-Autumn residential report, which launched today, revealed an under-developed city centre residential market in Belfast when compared to other cities of a similar size across the UK and Europe.
“Demand for city centre living is increasing at a fast pace, driven by young people who want proximity to gyms, restaurants, bars and shops with shorter commute times to high skilled and high paying office jobs.
“There is a challenge to meet this demand in Belfast.”
He added: “Developments like Garfield & North by Castlebrooke Investments will play an important part in the evolution of the city centre in the years to come.”