Ministers hail Ebrington hotel plans as ground broken on site
Ground has been broken at the site of the former Ebrington Barracks in Derry as work begins on a new four-star hotel.
The Stormont Executive has backed a £15m investment in the 152-bed facility and work will see the existing clocktower refurbished along with five other buildings on the former military base.
Speaking at the site, First Minister Paul Givan said it was “another step forward” for Ebrington and the city.
“It continues to grow as a vibrant, modern city which is looking to the future with confidence – and there is a real sense of that optimism here today,” he added
“As today’s ideas become tomorrow’s opportunities, I will be watching with interest as potential turns into reality for Londonderry.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Together with the Grade A office space due to be completed soon, this new hotel will bring a renewed sense of vibrancy and a real boost to the regional economy.
“I offer my congratulations to the developers and all who have played a part in getting us to this point.
“The commencement of construction on the Ebrington Hotel is a milestone day for Derry. This major investment will create jobs both during the construction phase, and after the hotel has opened.”
Hotel Developer Cecil Doherty said: “Our objective is to create and develop a 4 star Hotel to cater for the ever increasing popularity of our City as a must visit, exciting tourist destination.
“We are excited for its future specifically and the Ebrington site overall with our creation of 120 jobs locally along with the unique opportunity to repurpose and revitalise iconic historically significant buildings. Ebrington’s future is very bright.”
Plans for the hotel were unveiled in 2017 and Derry City and Strabane District Council approved them in 2018.
Work is expected to be completed on the hotel in the summer of 2023.
