Dalata signals start for £21m Belfast hotel
The surge in approvals for new hotel builds in Belfast continued this month with news that acquisitive Dublin-based group, Dalata, is to construct a 206-bedroom venue in the heart of the city in collaboration with specialist design and build contractors, McAleer and Rushe.
The new hotel, which will trade under Dalata’s Maldron banner, will be located on Brunswick Street on the site formerly occupied by Belfast Metropolitan College.
The £21m development will feature a 14-storey hotel designed by the Consarc Group in Belfast.
Demolition work on the old college building is now almost complete and work should begin on the new hotel in June.
The scheme also features a 476-bedroom student accommodation block which is being designed for Queen’s University and is unconnected to the hotel development.
Speaking to LCN this month, Dalata’s chief executive, Pat McCann said that he was delighted to be able to announce news of the group’s latest hotel project:
“We’re more than happy,” he added. “This is a great location in the centre of Belfast and it’s going to complement our existing Clayton Hotel [on Ormeau Avenue] very well. We’ve been doing a lot with that hotel lately and we are absolutely delighted with the progress that it’s been making.”
Mr. McCann indicated that the new Maldron hotel should be open for business by early 2018.
Regarding business generally, he also revealed Dalata – which held its AGM at the end of April – had enjoyed “a very good first quarter”:
“We’re in great shape,” he added.
Stephen Surplis, development director with McAleer and Rushe, said that the developer was very pleased to have the Dalata Group on board as an investor and operator on the scheme:
“This project marks the continuance of a longstanding relationship with the hotel group and brings the first new-build hotel in the city to commence construction post-recession,” he added. “The Maldron brand will be a much-needed, high quality addition to the business and tourist hotel offering in Belfast.”
Our picture shows an artist’s impression of the new Maldron hotel.
