Business

Developer reveals plans for Belfast's derelict BHS site

A digitally rendered impression of how the former BHS building would look under the new Alterity proposal (left) and the regeneration proposal for Castle Arcade (right).
A digitally rendered impression of how the former BHS building would look under the new Alterity proposal (left) and the regeneration proposal for Castle Arcade (right). A digitally rendered impression of how the former BHS building would look under the new Alterity proposal (left) and the regeneration proposal for Castle Arcade (right).
By Ryan McAleer

THE new owners of the former British Home Stores (BHS) building in Belfast city centre have revealed their plans to transform the site.

The derelict unit linking Castle Lane with Castle Place and Cornmarket was synonymous with BHS for more than half a century until it closed in August 2016.

Alterity Investments, which acquired the property earlier this year, has notified Belfast City Council of its plans to bring the site into back to life as a new retail and leisure destination.

While the ground floor will remain retail units, the upper levels are to be redeveloped for a mix of leisure and hospitality uses, with the rooftop terrace earmarked for a bar/restaurant.

The Belfast property firm, which already owns a number of surrounding buildings, is also proposing a regeneration programme for Castle Arcade, removing part of the building that covers the entry and erecting a new oversail section.

View of the proposed new facade from Castle Lane.
View of the proposed new facade from Castle Lane. View of the proposed new facade from Castle Lane.

In a nod to the site's past, the new owners have taken inspiration from the building’s connection to Belfast’s cinematic history for the redesign of its new façade.

Opened in 1923, the Classic Cinema on Castle Lane was once hailed as Belfast’s ‘premier’ cinema.

Equipped with a Wurlitzer theatre organ, it also boasted a café and dance hall.

The former Gaumont Theatre in Belfast's Castle Lane.
The former Gaumont Theatre in Belfast's Castle Lane. The former Gaumont Theatre in Belfast's Castle Lane.

It was renamed the Gaumont Theatre in 1950, but closed just over a decade later.

It was eventually demolished in 1962 to make way for the BHS department store.

Formerly known as Deramore, Alterity Investments and its associate firms have assets in excess of £120 million.

Along with properties on Castle Lane, Castle Place and Ann Street, it owns Boucher Square, Montgomery House and the nearby Fountain House, where Primark operates.

Alerity's plans provide for a new rooftop hospitality venture.
Alerity's plans provide for a new rooftop hospitality venture. Alerity's plans provide for a new rooftop hospitality venture.

In a document in support of its planning application, Alterity Investments states: “The building provides opportunities to regenerate the commercial and retail vibrancy of this critical section of the city.

“The proposal seeks to maintain and strengthen the distinctive position of Belfast city centre to enable it to perform its role as the primary shopping centre of the region to promote a sustainable, vital and vibrant city centre.”