City centre student housing projects approved

Belfast’s first purpose-built student accommodation has received planning approval.

The two projects at Great Patrick Street and York Street, adjacent to Ulster University’s new city centre campus, will include 1100 bedrooms with work set to begin in June.

Representing a total £45m investment in the city centre, the two projects will support 150 construction jobs over 18 months.

The 11 storey Great Patrick Street accommodation will include 475 bedrooms and a ground level retail unit, while York Street’s 14 storey development will feature 590 en suite bedrooms with 92 studio apartments, both with shared living spaces, kitchens and landscaped courtyards.

Both buildings have been designed by local architecture firm, LIKE Architects, which employs 8 staff from its city centre office and has hailed this development as a turning point in the regeneration of the north side of Belfast City Centre and for the development industry here.

Ciaran Deazley, director at LIKE Architects commented: “We welcome the approval of these exciting new developments that usher in a new era for Belfast City Centre. These two landmarks will provide a significant investment in the area supporting jobs at all phases of construction. We are looking forward to starting work in the summer and are anticipating a May 2018 completion date. The building tenders are expected to be issued immediately with appointments made and construction started in the summer.”

Michael Martin, also a director at the firm, added: “These ground-breaking projects were the first student housing planning submissions for the city centre back in November 2014. Receiving approval is a welcome milestone and we are delighted that Belfast can now begin to realise the economic benefits of the project.”