CO Down businessman Brian McConville has submitted innovative plans to rejuvenate the near-200-year-old Clarence Chambers building in the shadow of Belfast City Hall into modern-day office and retail usage - and with a celebrity chef-fronted restaurant.
Originally built in 1830 by ship-owner John Workman as residences to the rich, the grade B1 listed building at 18-19 Donegall Square East was acquired several years ago by the family behind ship fit-out group MJM Marine.
And keen to build on Belfast’s rich legacy of heritage architecture, they plan to deliver grade A and B office accommodation in both Clarence Chambers and in Pearl Assurance House, as well as restaurants, cafes and leisure offerings to support the core of Belfast centre as a destination.
The new scheme at Clarence Chambers - once owned by property developer John Miskelly - will see the town houses restored to their former glory, retaining the historic existing feature of the building but allowing for a sensitive modernisation to meet current office and retail needs.
The refurbishment would be bolstered by a major extension to the rear, with six floors of grade A office space and restaurant/café/bar/lounge spaces.
The project, designed by Hamilton’s Architects, represents a multi-million pound investment in the heart of the city centre, which has been badly impacted recently by the fire at the iconic Bank Buildings on Royal Avenue.
Mr McConville said: “These old buildings deserve to be brought back to their former glory, and our scheme will breathe new life into that corner of Donegall Square.
"Our plans include ambitions to attract a first-class restaurant offering. We are already speaking to celebrity chefs about what Belfast has to offer. This is as well as a café/bar/lounge experience which maximises the strategic location in the city centre.”
He added: “We're hugely excited about the prospect of taking this vision to life, retaining and respecting the heritage of the existing buildings and supporting them with stunning grade A office accommodation to rival any of the new schemes currently in planning, or on offer in Belfast.”
The proposal is currently being considered by Belfast City Council and a decision is expected soon after Christmas.
