Dorchester House aparthotel plans set to get green light

Plans to convert a former HMRC office building in Belfast into a new aparthotel look set to secure approval.

Andras House acquired Dorchester House in 2020 and submitted plans to Belfast City Council last year for the change of use of the building on Great Victoria Street..

Planning permission is sought to convert the former HMRC offices into an aparthotel under Accor’s Adagio brand.

A total of 136 rooms would be provided, with the creation of additional floors to the upper section of the building.

The application will be considered by the council’s planning committee on 18 June and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions, in an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.

The report said the proposed development would have “a positive impact on the character and appearance of the area”.

In February, it was announced that  InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) had signed an agreement with Andras House for an aparthotel venture on a nearby site in Belfast city centre.

This scheme is set to feature 132 units, based in a new 13-storey development on Bedford Street, opposite the BBC’s headquarters on Ormeau Avenue.

Planning permission was granted for the Bedford Yard project in February 2021.

When he acquired Dorchester House Andras House director Rajesh Rana said: “Great Victoria Street has been rather neglected in recent years, but we believe it will become an attractive destination following the development of the Transport Hub. We have already seen a lot of recent office activity coming back to the south city centre core.

“Dorchester House is close to Weavers Cross and the Glider passes right in front of the building, so we are confident it will benefit from this trend. As a company we are committed to helping the regeneration of the Great Victoria Street area and reinvesting in our city so that it can continue to grow and develop with real confidence.”