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First images of new Crumlin Road Courthouse hotel

The first images of the proposed new hotel on the site of the Crumlin Road Courthouse
The first images of the proposed new hotel on the site of the Crumlin Road Courthouse The first images of the proposed new hotel on the site of the Crumlin Road Courthouse

THE first images have emerged of the proposed new £25 million luxury hotel to be built on the site of the Crumlin Road courthouse.

The heritage building dating back to 1850 is to be transformed into a 160-bedroom hotel, with developers Signature Living pledging to be up and running in 18 months.

Speaking to the Irish News, Signature chairman Lawrence Kenwright said the Crumlin Road development, which is awaiting planning approval, was one of the biggest challenges he has ever faced given the state of disrepair the former court house has fallen into.

"Crumlin's the big one for me. It's the toughest one and is going to take the most of my time so that's the one I will love getting involved in," he said

The north Belfast development is part of as many as seven hotels Signature Living could build in Belfast, with construction work on the George Best Hotel at the Scottish Mutual Building due to start next month, ahead of opening in 2018.

The Crumlin Road Courthouse is set to undergo a major transformation
The Crumlin Road Courthouse is set to undergo a major transformation The Crumlin Road Courthouse is set to undergo a major transformation

Plans for a third hotel project in the city centre are due to be announced within weeks, while the company is also discussions in relation to a fourth.

"It could be seven (hotels in Belfast), it all depends on deals that can be found, the right property for the project that we want," he said.

"We hope to have all four open in 18 months, certainly three, I can't see the fourth yet as we haven't nailed the fourth, but certainly three can be open in 18 months."

Crumlin Road Courthouse is set to be transformed into a 160-bedroom luxury hotel
Crumlin Road Courthouse is set to be transformed into a 160-bedroom luxury hotel Crumlin Road Courthouse is set to be transformed into a 160-bedroom luxury hotel
The first images of the proposed new hotel on the site of the Crumlin Road Courthouse
The first images of the proposed new hotel on the site of the Crumlin Road Courthouse The first images of the proposed new hotel on the site of the Crumlin Road Courthouse