OWNERSHIP of one of Belfast’s most iconic buildings Custom House is back in Northern Ireland hands.
Investment firm Straidorn Properties, headed by Co Antrim businessman Neil McKibbin (58) and his family, has paid an undisclosed sum to acquire the listed building from property management company Mapeley in Watford.
And Straidorn intends to sympathetically refurbish and modernise the 58,000 sq ft four-floor building when sitting tenant HMRC moves out next April.
“We're delighted to have the opportunity to buy one of Belfast’s grandest buildings and bring it back into local ownership," said Neil McKibbin, whose £85 million-turnover McKibbin Holdings company in Mallusk is principally involved in the purchase, sale and hire of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles.
“Custom House is of huge historic and strategic importance, and for our business this is a long-term investment which demonstrates our confidence not just in the future of Belfast’s office market but in the city itself.
“We invest in projects we can identify with and where we know we can add value.
“Despite the current economic climate, Belfast is still an attractive location for inward investment and will continue to attract global occupiers who will contribute to the ongoing growth and development of the city.”
Located at Custom House Square, the building was designed by one of Belfast’s leading architects Sir Charles Lanyon and was built by D & J Fulton between 1854 and 1857.
It has undergone various phases of remodelling throughout its history. It has a number of period features, such as its original staircase, extensive lobby areas and a number of decorative carvings, including three figures symbolising Neptune, Mercury and Britannia and others representing Manufacture, Peace, Commerce and Industry.
Straidorn has previously invested in transforming Flax House on Adelaide Street, regenerating a former linen mill which had been unoccupied for more than 30 years into a fully let, grade-A office space.
Victoria House on Gloucester Street has also received significant investment through Mr McKibbin and his partner Wayne Sullivan’s holdings in recruitment company VanRath.
Straidorn was advised by Riddell McKibbin in the purchase of Custom House.
