£12m redevelopment for Belfast’s Scottish Mutual building approved
Tullymore House Limited, the company which owns and runs the successful Galgorm Resort and Spa, has welcomed the news that its planned £12 million investment in the former Scottish Mutual building has been granted planning approval, which will see the landmark building transformed into a luxury, ‘boutique’ hotel.
The former Scottish Mutual building opposite Belfast City Hall was purchased early last year by Tullymore House Limited, which said it had ambitious plans to sympathetically restore it to its former glory, in a revamp that will provide a welcome boost to the city centre’s burgeoning tourism economy, creating more than 180 full and part-time jobs.
Confirmation of the investment plans were made after Northern Ireland Environment Minister Mark H Durkan confirmed that planning approval had been formally granted by his department.
Colin Johnston, Project Manager, said: “We’re delighted that the Department of Environment’s planning department and Environment Minister Mark H Durkan have given us the formal go-ahead to proceed with our plans to sympathetically restore the Scottish Mutual building into a luxury, boutique hotel which will accommodate the hospitality needs of everyone in the city.
“These plans have been carefully based on our belief that we can add real value and worth by turning this landmark building into a contemporary and stylish venue which will sit comfortably alongside the city’s best hotels, and our commitment to deliver a top quality offering that will continually exceed the expectations of our guests.
“We look forward to starting work and watching the hotel take shape as this impressive building once again becomes a landmark for the city centre.”
Tullymore House Limited plans to invest in the region of £12 million in the project with the aim of completing works in the summer of 2016.
As part of the upgrade, two bars and two restaurants have been earmarked for the ground and first floor areas in the 1904 Grade B1 listed building, which straddles Bedford Street and Donegall Square. There are also plans for a large ‘seated’ function room for more than 120 people on the second floor, which captures the magnificent views over the City Hall gardens, in addition to a further two smaller function rooms to accommodate either private dining, business events or other functions.
The upper three floors in the 42,000 square foot, five-storey building will be upgraded to accommodate up to 40 hotel bedrooms and 10 serviced apartments.
The company estimates that the hotel and entertainment offering created by the redevelopment could support up to 180 full and part–time jobs once up and running, which are additional to the estimated 100 jobs which could be supported during design, building and fit-out stages.
