The much delayed Tribeca project in the North Street/Donegall Street area of Belfast could now be a residential development instead of an office one.
Castlebrooke Investments has announced that it is bringing forward a planning application for a new integrated residential neighbourhood in an historically significant six-acre area of central Belfast.
The North Street-Donegall Street project, it says, will revitalise an area around these two historic streets, bordering Royal Avenue and including Writer’s Square.
The proposals comprise around 1,000 new homes- including social and affordable accommodation, two 4-star hotels and up to 100,000 sq. ft of mixed commercial and community space, including shops, restaurants, cafes and services.
The scheme includes homes for people at all stages of life, from young professionals, through to families and retirees, and will prioritise respect for the area’s rich history and architectural heritage, including the restoration of five listed buildings.
The plan will create a new street and a number of alleyways and public spaces to link the new neighbourhood into the wider city centre street network and facilitate pedestrian access to and through the area. It also envisages a revitalised Writer’s Square, making it safer and more activated with adjoining bars and restaurants.
A pre-application notice has been filed with Belfast City Council planners ahead of an in-person public consultation event on June 30 and July 1 at the Masonic Hall on Rosemary Street, which will allow interested parties to view the emerging plans in full.
Feedback on the new proposals will be considered ahead of the submission of a full planning application in the Autumn of 2026.
Castlebrooke has appointed experienced urban planner Gerry Hughes to lead the professional team designing the scheme. Since qualifying from Queen’s University Belfast in 1984 Gerry became a specialist in advising on major urban change projects in the UK, Ireland and Europe. He was former CEO at property advisory firm GVA-Avison Young before setting up his own consultancy business. He is also a board member at the Maritime Belfast Trust and Honorary Professor at Queen’s University Belfast.
The project team comprises a blend of local and best-in-class international advisors, including Copenhagen-headquartered urban designers Schulz Grassov; Belfast-based firms Like Architects and Todd Architects; Dublin-based specialist heritage architects OC+C Architects; planning consultants TSA Planning and international property consultants Colliers.
Gerry Hughes said: “I am pleased to act for Castlebrooke on such an important project for Belfast. North Street/Donegall Street is being reimagined as a new place to live in Belfast city centre. Our goal is to create a special neighbourhood with a range of new homes that help meet the housing needs of the city and contribute to Belfast City Council’s targets for city centre living.
“Creating a new community in the part of Belfast where the city began is a significant move that will have a meaningful impact on the local economy.We’re confident the new proposals marry the heritage of the area’s historically significant buildings, streets and space with modern, stylish and sensitive development.
“The project team is already engaging with Belfast City Council and government departments to discuss options for delivery of the scheme, and we look forward to hearing views on the new plans from all interested stakeholders next month.”
The proposals replace a previous office-led scheme which received planning approval shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic. This scheme, named Tribeca Belfast, became unviable due to changes in the office market.