Approval for huge Titanic Quarter apartments could boost Belfast hospitality
Plans to build 778 new homes at Belfast’s Titanic Quarter have been approved, raising hopes that more people living in and around the city centre will boost the hospitality industry.
The Loft Lines development at Queen’s Islandwill include a range of build to rent, social and affordable homes and construction is due to be completed by 2025 and crucially they will not be used for short-term holiday-lets.
Work on the 778, one, two and three-bedroom apartments is due to start in late summer, with three new residential blocks being built next to the Titanic Belfast tourist attraction.
One of the three blocks will be turned into a mix of 78 social housing units and 73 lower cost homes which will be delivered by Choice Housing Association subsidiary Maple and May, with Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones PLC the joint developers.
Watkin Jones’ chief investment officer, Alex Pease said: “The Loft Lines shows the potential of institutional investment to bring forward places with long-term value for the people who live in and around them, and we anticipate seeing Belfast as a prime investment destination grow as this scheme progresses.”
The scheme, which has been backed by both Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter Ltd, will also include a riverfront promenade along with a one-acre park and boulevard. The eventual uptake in permanent residents in the Titanic Quarter is also likely to push the case for a new cross-harbour bridge in the area.
Welcoming the planning approval, the port’s chief executive, Joe O’Neill said: “The green light given will no doubt set a precedent for high quality city homes and public realm and help attract future inward investment to Belfast.”
Lacuna director Anthony Best added: “Belfast City Council’s decision to approve the Loft Lines plans is testament to a shared vision by all parties to drive Belfast forward by delivering city-centric homes that give a welcome boost to Belfast’s economy in the long-term.”
