The Ringland Group has completed the sale of The 1852 Hotel and the popular Town Square Bar on Botanic Avenue to Fahrenheit 7 LTD. The property was brought to market in June of this year with a guide price of offers in excess of £2.85 million.
The sale releases capital for the Ringland Group’s £17 million development pipeline, which includes the £13.5m Bottleworks development on Callender Street in Belfast city centre – a new 76-bedroom hotel, two distinct bars, a restaurant and a coffee shop on the site of Belfast’s historic Moreton & Co. Beer Bottlers, established in 1887. The group has also recently submitted planning proposals for a new rooftop bar on Howard Street, above Amelia Hall, and has longer-term plans for expansion into mainland UK.
Peter Ringland, Managing Director of The Ringland Group, said: “The 1852 Hotel has been a pleasure to own for the past decade, and we’re proud of what it has become: one of the most efficient, best-run hospitality businesses in Belfast. Handing it on to Fahrenheit 7 feels like a great fit. They are taking on a beautiful building and a truly exceptional team, and we wish them every success. For us, this is about focus. Our energy now goes into The Bottleworks, our £13.5 million, 76-bedroom hotel on Callender Street in Belfast city centre,opening in 2027.”
The full team transfers to the new owner, led by seasoned General Manager Andrew McWhirter and his long-serving management team: Food Manager Jeannie Jenkins, Bar Manager Stephen Reynolds, and Head Chef Kamil Regdos.
“The people are the real story of this business,” Ringland added. “They operate like a tight-knit, hardworking family, and I want to thank every one of them for helping us build a world-class establishment.”
Conor Wylie of Fahrenheit 7 LTD said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be acquiring The 1852 Hotel & Town Square Bar. The Ringland Group has done an amazing job building the brands over the last decade and we are excited to be the new custodians of this amazing property. We look forward to working with Andrew and the rest of the management team as we move into the next era together.
The property, which began life as a mid-19th-century dance school, comprises 17 double rooms, 4 quad rooms, and an 18-person group suite, with a total capacity of 68 guests.
The sale was handled by CBRE on behalf of The Ringland Group.