A building that was once at the heart of the north’s shipbuilding industry is set for a makeover if a planning application to convert it into offices and a cafe/restaurant is approved.
Documents filed for 8-9 Donegall Quay in Belfast, a long-vacant building which was formerly a warehouse where sails were made, show that applicant Barry Flynn has plans to revive the site.
The proposed works are described as “change of use and external alterations to vacant former warehouse/sail-making workshop to a new serviced office/studio space on 1st and 2nd floors and cafe/restaurant/exhibition use on ground floor.”
A further document references the site as ‘Riverside Studios and Cafe’ and recalls the history of the building.
It reads: “The former Redford’s sail loft building is a three-storey over basement gable fronted warehouse building, built circa 1855 and fronting onto the west side of the river Lagan.
The building’s most notable external feature is the projecting timber clad and slate roof covering to the gantry hoist on the east gable elevation, used to lift the sails up onto the warehouse floors…”
Sailmaking continued at the site until 1991.
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Plans featured within the application have been drawn up by RMI Architects, the firm behind Titanic Hotel Belfast.
If approved, Riverside Studios and Cafe will join another hospitality venue on the same row. The River Rooms, Ted's Restaurant and function room, the Lagan Suite are neighbours to the site.
River Rooms is also home to the Rabbit Hole at Cloud 9 Lounge, an Alice in Wonderland themed room serving tapas and bottomless brunches.
