BELFAST's last Victorian shopping arcade is to undergo a £2 million refurbishment to help restore it to its former glory.
A planning application has been submitted for work at the iconic Queen's Arcade, and if approved the heritage project will see the restoration of its original iron signage and façade on Donegall Place, the laying of a new Italian terazzo floor and the creation of new shopfronts.
Depending on planning, it is hoped that restoration works will start in January and be completed by May.
Built in 1880, Queen’s Arcade was originally designed as a 'fashionable promenade' for 'finely fitted shops'. Today it is home to Lunn’s Jewellers, which owns the Arcade, and a mix of cafés, restaurants and independent retailers.
Peter Lunn, chairman of Lunn’s Jewellers believes the proposed restoration at the Arcade will "recapture its Victorian splendour".
“Queen’s Arcade has been a much-loved part of Belfast for almost 140 years and this £2m restoration will ensure that it remains a popular Belfast landmark for generations to come," Mr Lunn said.
“The recent destruction of the Bank Buildings has been a horrendous experience for city centre retailers, but this city and its people are resilient and we have a vision for its future. We believe Queen’s Arcade has a big role to play in bringing people back into the city centre," he continued.
The Arcade will remain open during the restoration work, which will take place out of hours. The major project will also restore its Fountain Street entrance and provide new bespoke iron work, lighting, signage and clocks. In addition the work will remove unsympathetic additions made in the 1970s and 1980s to fully reveal the detail in the Arcade’s vaulted ceiling.
The process is being led by renowned designer Suzanne Garuda, who has previously completed projects for the K Club and the Sultan of Brunei, and architects Consarc, who have worked on projects such as Ashford Castle, Edinburgh University and Belfast’s Grand Opera House.
“Our ambition is to make sure Queen’s Arcade is synonymous with elegance, providing a beautiful space that restores its purpose as a home for luxurious but accessible retail. We’re also conscious that the Arcade is increasingly popular with tourists and we want to recreate its original grandeur to help develop a go-to destination that benefits the whole city centre," Mr Lunn added
