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Video: Titanic Hotel set for maiden voyage

The new £28 million Titanic Hotel Belfast opens to the public tomorrow. Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye
The new £28 million Titanic Hotel Belfast opens to the public tomorrow. Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye The new £28 million Titanic Hotel Belfast opens to the public tomorrow. Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye

THE new £28 million Titanic Hotel will have its maiden voyage tomorrow as it opens to the public for the first time.

The 119-room hotel on the site of the former Harland & Wolff drawing offices and headquarters sees Adrian McNally take the helm as general manager, supported by a team of 90 employees.

The completion of the new venture from Harcourt Developments comes after two years of restoration, construction and preservation, supported by a £5 million grant secured by the Titanic Foundation from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The building has been meticulously restored with many authentic spaces from the original offices retained, including the telephone exchange, which received the first communication of Titanic hitting the iceberg.

Other heritage spaces preserved include the board room, directors’ entrance and lobby and former directors’ offices including Thomas Andrews, Lord Pirrie and Charles Payne.

The drawing offices stand prominently at the front of the hotel, one housing the hotel’s Harland Bar, and the other which will be the hotel’s ballroom and heritage experience. Drawing office one will house a temporary six-week exhibition from opening, which tells the story of the conservation and construction of the buildings and hotel. Thereafter, daily tours will be on offer to showcase the heritage features here and throughout the hotel.

The main staircase in the new Titanic Hotel Belfast . Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye
The main staircase in the new Titanic Hotel Belfast . Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye The main staircase in the new Titanic Hotel Belfast . Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye

Commercial director of the Titanic Hotel James Eyre said he was looking forward to the grand opening.

"We are pleased that the public will now be able to enjoy the heritage of the building, learn about the history of the area and the city’s shipbuilding past."

“Titanic Quarter is one of the world’s largest urban-waterfront regeneration projects and in the past decade much has been achieved to deliver a mix of residential, commercial, education and tourism spaces. The area is a vibrant and thriving destination in which 18,000 people live, work, study and play daily. Titanic Hotel Belfast is another excellent venue for our visitors to enjoy," he added.

The Titanic Hotel Belfast welcomes its first guests tomorrow (Sunday) at 12 noon.

The main entrance of the Titanic Hotel Belfast. Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye
The main entrance of the Titanic Hotel Belfast. Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye The main entrance of the Titanic Hotel Belfast. Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye
A model of the Titanic ship housed with the Harland Bar. Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye
A model of the Titanic ship housed with the Harland Bar. Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye A model of the Titanic ship housed with the Harland Bar. Picture by Darren Kidd/ Press Eye
The Drawing Office bar and lounge in Titanic Hotel
The Drawing Office bar and lounge in Titanic Hotel The Drawing Office bar and lounge in Titanic Hotel
 A superior suite at the hotel
 A superior suite at the hotel  A superior suite at the hotel
Thomas Andrews' Office 
Thomas Andrews' Office  Thomas Andrews' Office