A NEW Italian restaurant is set to become the latest tenant at the Soloist Building in Belfast city centre.
The Irish News can reveal that experienced restaurateur Guido Cavalier, who operates the successful and established ‘Sapori Italiani’ restaurant in Newry, is set to open a new concept Italian restaurant for the island of Ireland known as Gustoé later this year, creating dozens of new jobs.
Managing agents Colliers International has agreed to let a 4,400 sq ft ground floor unit to Mr Cavalier and confirmed it is first of a number of new tenants soon to be announced at the modern office building on Lanyon Place.
Global professional services firm KPMG moved to the Soloist last year, taking 49,000 sq ft on the upper floors, with international law firm Pinsent Masons occupying the remaining space. To date the ground floor units remain vacant apart from the presence of Caffè Nero.
Declan Leonard from Colliers International said the new restaurant, which is due to open late September/early October, will be a "welcome addition".
“Guido has exciting plans to bring a new Italian dining experience to the city and at over 4,400 sq ft this will be a significant, welcome addition to the area’s growing hospitality offer."
“Set in superb central location, Belfast’s Soloist Building is a new and impressively modern addition to the city’s commercial property offer, providing extensive Grade A office and prime retail space," he said.
“Adjacent to Belfast’s Law Courts, Belfast Waterfront, the Hilton Hotel and St George’s Market, the Soloist Building enjoys high footfall in an established and vibrant area which welcomes thousands of professionals, locals and visitors every day."
Mr Leonard added that the new restaurant will be the first of a number of new tenants for the Belfast building due to be announced in the near future.
“All 75,000 sq. ft. of high class Grade A office space is now fully occupied and this latest confirmed ground floor tenant will complement the presence of Café Nero and other new tenants which will soon be announced.”
The five-storey Soloist Building is the result of an international design competition jointly sponsored by developer Ewart Properties and Laganside Corporation. Construction of the building was completed in 2014.
