Planning approval granted for hotel at former police station

Belfast City Council announced last night that it has approved plans to convert the historic former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.

The development will involve a change of use for the building, including a refurbishment and a nine-storey extension to the rear to accommodate a restaurant, bar, and ancillary facilities, while preserving the Grade B1 listed sandstone frontage.

Originally a children’s hospital designed by Thomas Jackson & Son and built by Mr. W. McCammond in 1877-1878, the three-storey building admitted its first patients on April 24, 1879. The hospital later moved to the Royal Victoria Hospital site in 1932, and the Northern Ireland Ministry of Home Affairs then repurposed it as an R.U.C. police station, which operated until its closure around 1993. The building, listed as Grade B1 (HB26/50/027) since June 1979, has seen various proposals for redevelopment over the years, including approved plans for retail and restaurant space in 2003, a 36-bedroom apart-hotel in 2007, and a 78-bedroom hotel proposal in 2018.

Councillor Arder Carson, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee, said: “These approvals reflect our commitment to supporting projects that enhance Belfast’s heritage, community, and economic vitality.

“From revitalising historic buildings and expanding educational facilities to fostering community cohesion and boosting our technology sector, these projects reflect our ambitions to support our city in growing sustainably and inclusively.

“The new hotel and student accommodation developments, in particular, will strengthen Belfast’s hospitality and education sectors, while the community garden and research facilities enrich our local environment and innovation potential.”

Image credit: RPP Architects (2020)