Business

'Dream' growth for serviced apartment provider

Aimée Scullion, front of house manager,with Tom Smyth, managing director of Dream Apartments, at the Sanford Development
Aimée Scullion, front of house manager,with Tom Smyth, managing director of Dream Apartments, at the Sanford Development Aimée Scullion, front of house manager,with Tom Smyth, managing director of Dream Apartments, at the Sanford Development

SERVICED apartment provider Dream has completed a deal which sees it adding a further 30 Belfast apartments to its extensive portfolio and creating 15 new jobs.

Owned and operated by local businessman Tom Smyth, the luxury accommodation provider has gone from strength-to-strength since launching last year with 85 fully serviced apartments currently operating in the city, 50 in Liverpool, and a further 50 opening in June.

Employing 70 people across the UK, Dream Apartments also operates in Newcastle, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam and São Paulo in Brazil, where it now operates over 250 properties in total.

The newly acquired Belfast apartments are located within the Sanford development on the Queen's Bridge and will open in Spring 2019.

Mr Smyth said: “I'm delighted Dream Apartments has been able to meet the demand for short and long-term accommodation in Belfast and beyond.

“The new development, which will feature both one and two-bedroom properties, will offer a unique accommodation solution to the Belfast corporate markets."

He added: "I first encountered the serviced apartment sector while working in Dubai, where I fell in love with the concept. On my return to Belfast I saw a gap in the market and last June launched Dream Apartments. I'm incredibly proud of the growth we've experienced in our first year."

He said the buoyant corporate market and the firm's ability to provide high-end, private, serviced accommodation in a prime location in Belfast close to the central business district, airports, main arterial routes and the buzzing city centre had helped with its stellar growth.

“The fact Belfast is the third fastest-growing office market in the world means the corporate market is also particularly strong and one which is set to grow further. The new Waterfront Hall is a mere stone’s throw away from our properties providing the perfect place to stay for visiting delegates.

“The relocation market is also a strong growth area for us and we are delighted to welcome families and individuals who are setting up home in Northern Ireland and need a base in the short-term.

Dream Apartments was recognised at the 2017 World Travel Awards as the leading serviced apartment provider in Northern Ireland.