This huge brownfield site in Belfast has now had plans submitted after over 7 years of being left derelict.

The Sirocco Works was once of the the largest engineering plants in the world and developed heat and cooling exchanges. They developed the first ever air conditioning system and installed it in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, the first building in the world to use air conditioning.

So you have Belfast to thank for air conditioning :lol:


The site also housed the Sirocco Rope works, in this shipbuilding city the Sirocco Ropeworks became the largest rope manufacturer in the world.


The plans will demolish the current brick wall that surrounds the site but the brick Chimney will remain, the developers will also construct a new footbridge across the River Lagan linking the site with the Waterfront Hall.

The ambitious, 16-acre waterfront scheme by award-winning developers The Carvill Group is to transform a run-down factory site into a "unique riverside community" in the east of the city.

The scheme will eventually include a hotel, childcare facilities, a care home for the elderly, a supermarket and doctors' surgery all on-site.

And Sirocco Quays has impressive 'green' credentials, too, with waste management systems which will encourage recycling, the use of renewable technologies and a subsidised car club for residents.

In addition, the development was planned around open spaces, one of which will be a public park within the city centre - second only in size to the grounds of the City Hall.

The historic Sirocco site is the last in the city centre with river frontage and completes the Laganside project - one of the most prestigious in Europe









History of the site…
The large 16 acre site located on the east side of the Lagan was once home to Sirocco Ropeworks which at one point was the largest rope manufacturer in the world. In 1881 Samuel Davidson, one of the founding partners of Howden sets up his business from the Bridge End site eventually creating Howden Sirocco. Production of fans and heat exchangers began and a close working relationship evolved with Harland & Wolff on the fitting out of ships. However, in 1999 production was moved overseas and the site became derelict.

Industry moves aside for developers…
Dunloe Ewart (Ewart Properties) purchased the 16 acre site from Howden Sirocco in 2000 for £23m. With almost 1,000sq ft of frontage onto the Lagan the site had significant investor appeal and demolition soon got under way. Complete demolition of all of the site including the largest factory was completed in 2006. Ewarts planned to develop 129,000 sq ft of offices, 98 flats, a 90,000 sq ft superstore and 50,000 sq ft of additional retail space.

ASDA Superstore…
Asda is planning its first ‘supercentre’ in Northern Ireland for the Sirocco site. Following Morrison’s takeover of Safeway, the development of the Sirocco site was postponed although demolition on the site continued. Asda confirmed it was considering the brownfield site for a large store, where more than half the floor space will be dedicated to selling non-food items.

Ewart Properties sell Sirocco site…
In Autumn 2006 Ewart Properties sold the Sirocco site with planning permission for a residential scheme to the Carvill Group for £40m. The price per acre in this deal set a record for Northern Ireland even though planning had only been secured for a residential scheme on 3 acres of the 16 acre site and permission had not yet been decided for the ASDA superstore. In October 2006 Llewelyn Davies Yeang were appointed to masterplan the site on behalf of the Carvill Group.


A new direction for the Sirocco site…
In September 2007 the Carvill Group submitted their plans for the Sirocco site. Whilst Ewarts plan provided for large areas of surface car parking as seen in image 1 below the new plans addressed planners concerns and adopted a revised scheme which resembled more of an extension to the city centre. The new scheme includes 2,400 apartments and 150,000 sq ft for retail and employment uses and a new pedestrian bridge linking the site to Lanyon Place.

The masterplan by Richards Partington Architects will comprise ten phases which it is hoped will be finished by 2019. The first phase will incorporate an 80,000 sq ft supermarket underneath 400 apartments on the eastern edge of the site and is due to start in 2009. Turley Associates are acting as planning consultants for the Carvill Group.

Future phases will add to the feel of the site, creating a new area of the city, much like Lanyon Place achieved on the other side of the river. Planned developments include a group of five tall buildings, one of which will be 30 storeys and developing a hotel on the site.

Further changes to the site include the direction the supermarket entrance will face, a consideration that Carvill Group believe is vital in reducing the risk of a community feeling excluded from the scheme. Previously the door faced onto the Short Strand which may be perceived as more welcoming to one community than another. Therefore the developer has located the entrance on the main square hopefully achieving a neutrality that the city centre has for the most part always enjoyed and therefore achieving the development goal of creating an extension to the city centre.


Archaeology…

The Department of the Environment began investigating the site soon after the change of ownership. Archaeological digs took up much of 2008 as the location of the site on the banks of the Lagan could provide information on the early years of Belfast hundreds of years ago.


International hotel chain…

In June (2008) it was revealed that an international hotel chain was being lined up for the new sirocco development.


Latest planning updates…
In May 2008 the Carvill group submitted their planning applications for the site…

2008-05-02 0829/F
Proposed mixed use development comprising 386 no apartments, residents gym, a supermarket, 1 no retail unit, function room, landscaped private amenity space, landscaped public realm, basement car parking and associated road works.

2008-05-02 0830/F
Proposed mixed use development comprising 294 no apartments, 4 no. own door office units, 1 no. retail unit, a care home, landscaped private amenity space, landscaped public realm, basement car parking and associated road works.

2008-05-02 0832/F
Proposed mixed use development comprising 253 no. apartments, 2 no. own door office units, 4 no. retail units, landscaped private amenity space, landscaped public realm, basement car parking and associated road works.


http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2302/image00412738c8rn2.jpg


http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7387/image0111272792xf1.jpg




Thanks to Future Belfast (http://www.futurebelfast.com/) for the above text info and images :)

I think in England large developments have to have a degree of social housing for them to get planning permission. I'd imagine demand for council housing is still high in Belfast. Given that this site is more or less neutral, I was thinking about whether they could try to create a mixed estate in this development. They seem to be drastically cutting the amount of flats to be built here, probably because of the economic depression. They could build affordable homes to make up the numbers. Thats my tuppence worth anyway

The Sirocco Site looks like yet another collection of dismal, lack lustre cornflake boxes... sighs.

This site is incredibly close to the CBD and the rent would be far too high for the sort of people to move into 'a mxed community' (not creating a streotype or anything). The site is no technically that netrual as about 100 yards away is the Short Strand.

I reckon owengriffiths has got a point. Aye, its beside the short strand, but it's also beside Protestant Bridge End. As far as I know that is a peaceful interface, the strand/ lower newton is the rowdy one. Sciroco Quays could be a neutral buffer zone. If there were social housing I think you'd have to vet who comes to live in the area though, on a 50/50 basis so that the estate has no chance of developing into a single identity area.

Why not build the Stadium as part of the Sirocco development

Why not build the Stadium as part of the Sirocco development

A stadium would take up the entire area of sirrocco quays and more id imagine by the time you factor in car parking etc

Update: 21/02/09

Area of the recent piling works around the small crane....

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/G2GAP/Sirocco/SiroccoFeb09-01.jpg

Junction being constructed at Short Strand / Mountpottinger Link for the future main entrance to Sirocco Quays.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/G2GAP/Sirocco/SiroccoFeb09-02.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/G2GAP/Sirocco/SiroccoFeb09-03.jpg

Does anyone know exactly what it is the archeologists are digging up in the site?? This is the view from Bridge End...

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/G2GAP/Sirocco/SiroccoFeb09-04.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/G2GAP/Sirocco/SiroccoFeb09-05.jpg

archeologists digging up the site is more likely the thing holding up the Sirocco development and why it's hoped!! it will be finished by 2019.

I have a great photo looking towards sirocco works from the west side of the queens bridge dated 1910 which shows a drying turbine coming from sirroco pulled by a horse and cart. It says that the sirocco works was the largest manufacturer of tea drying machinery in the world. You can also see a large fat looking chimmney on the site which is supposed to have been the largest bottle tower in Ireland at the time.

archeologists digging up the site is more likely the thing holding up the Sirocco development and why it's hoped!! it will be finished by 2019.

Yeah, it's weird that a 16 acre site should take a decade to complete. It'd be great if the Archaeologists hurried up.

Yeah, it's weird that a 16 acre site should take a decade to complete. It'd be great if the Archaeologists hurried up.

I remember lugging theodolites about in 1994 on the Waterfront Hall site; 15 years later the final 2 buildings are only now being completed. 10 years is realistic, maybe even optimistic! Developers will only build to order, most don't have the money for speculative builds.

Does anyone know exactly what it is the archeologists are digging up in the site?? This is the view from Bridge End...

I assume the archeology is the old rows of terraced houses which used to line the Short Strand before the wholescale redevelopment of the 70's / 80's.

I assume the archeology is the old rows of terraced houses which used to line the Short Strand before the wholescale redevelopment of the 70's / 80's.

Never knew they were there. Always just known the site with the Sirocco works on it. Wonder is there any pics of these as it would be interesting to see. Especially as i have a couple of relative worked in Sirocco for some years.

I assume the archeology is the old rows of terraced houses which used to line the Short Strand before the wholescale redevelopment of the 70's / 80's.

if it is the old row of terraced houses they are looking at someone should tell them that belfast is covered in them. And they have doors and windows aswell

:lol::lol::lol:
A FUN DAY OUT FOR ALL ARCHEOLOGISTS

I have a great photo looking towards sirocco works from the west side of the queens bridge dated 1910 which shows a drying turbine coming from sirroco pulled by a horse and cart. It says that the sirocco works was the largest manufacturer of tea drying machinery in the world. You can also see a large fat looking chimmney on the site which is supposed to have been the largest bottle tower in Ireland at the time.

Any chance of scanning it and posting it here? I would love to see that pic.

Sirocco video back up.


http://www.carvill-group.com/archive/video/SiroccoFlythrough.wmv

Sirocco video back up.


http://www.carvill-group.com/archive/video/SiroccoFlythrough.wmv

Good spot. Watching that video again really gets you excited for the development! Heres hoping that they do actually begin work next year.

Its not just the video back up, they have put a lot more content up on their page - http://www.carvill-group.com/site/Content.aspx?x=6MWUVl7KRHw=


New videos:

LifeStyle Video -
http://www.carvill-group.com/archive/video/SiroccoHistory.wmv

History video -
http://www.carvill-group.com/archive/video/SiroccoLifestyle.wmv

More pics in the gallery-
http://www.carvill-group.com/site/ImageGallery.aspx?x=35
like this one -
http://www.carvill-group.com/archive/Images/NorthernIreland/Footbridge.jpg

A new brochure as well -
http://www.carvill-group.com/archive/PDFs/Northern_Ireland/Sirocco%20Quays/Sirocco%20Quay%202010.pdf
(http://www.carvill-group.com/archive/PDFs/Northern_Ireland/Sirocco%20Quays/Sirocco%20Quay%202010.pdf)
I have to say, this development excites me a lot more than the Titanic quarter does. It says work begins in 2011 and to span over 10 years. fingers crossed anyway

^^^

Brilliant.:)

Good spot.

Thanks.:)

^^^

Brilliant.:)

Nice website as ever by Carvill group. They mention that full planning has been received. I did not know that.....also that the bridge was Japanese designed. I wonder who by?

They mention that full planning has been received.


Didn't notice that.:eek:

Brilliant :)

It looks great, like the lifestyle video. Do you think it will definitely go ahead? Planning permission has been granted, but are there tenants to afford it? I'm not convinced that Belfast can really support both this and the Titanic Quarter when they can't currently fill even Lanyon Towers, Obel and Soloist. Would be a brilliant city centre if we could though!

^^

I think the difference here is that this, as usual with Carvill, with have a good level of social housing, high quality social housing at that. Thus, this is likely to benefit from quicker occupancy rates in addition to feeling more part of the city centre than TQ.

Though TQ will in time I believe.

Love it. Whats the quirky blocked shape building?

^^

I think the difference here is that this, as usual with Carvill, with have a good level of social housing, high quality social housing at that. Thus, this is likely to benefit from quicker occupancy rates in addition to feeling more part of the city centre than TQ.

Though TQ will in time I believe.

What other social housing have they built, out of curiosity. I know there's to be a housing association part to 'the embankment' but I'm not sure if it's on the drawing board yet.

It wasnt built by Carvill but I was disapointed by the housing association part of the short strand road flats. Can't remember the name of the development but they are the red buildings on the river beside the albert bridge. The tallest tower is a poorer quality version of the others; tiny windows that fuck up the good proportion, similar messing around with white background, and the fact that the tower is round when the others are a superior square.

I don't understand how a development on this scale gets the go ahead when they're turning down other smaller projects or not building them, like Bedford square, Sugar Walk, etc.

I don't understand how a development on this scale gets the go ahead when they're turning down other smaller projects or not building them, like Bedford square, Sugar Walk, etc.

Well neither of those were turned down, they just havent gone ahead because of economic reasons. Sugar Walk will probably get going at some point depending on demand(nothing to be excited about to be fair as its a pig ugly building). I cant see Bedford Square ever going ahead now to be honest, it will be an eternity before belfast needs that much office floor space again.

Also I dont think we should take it as given this will go ahead and if it will, it will be done bit by bit over a significant period of time. Its more likely to go ahead because of nature of what their putting there, which will include a supermarket and also social housing. Its not just more office space, appartments and hotels

I thought construction on Sugar Walk was going ahead but I see they've turned the site into a car park now, so I don't know what that says. My point is that if Bedford square can't even get a tenant to begin construction then how can the whole of the Sirocco development be granted when it has quite a few high rises that will need tenants? Not that I'm complaining about its construction because it looks great. But I'd still prefer Bedford sq to go up first if only to add more height to the central district and to take away from the Windsor House eyesore.

^^

Because Sirocco is primarily residential with a good portion of social housing. It doesn't need a big office tenant to sign up right away. It likely has a hotel sorted or close to it, the supermarket is signed up (Asda I believe) and ofc the arts centre is an arts centre.

From Belfast Telegraph yesterday:

The high-profile redevelopment of one of Belfast's most historic industrial sites has been given the go-ahead while the property firm behind it has been in financial difficulties.
Carvill Group has said it would be entering into a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) after the property downturn created trading difficulties in the family firm.

But now its most expensive development, the overhaul of the 6.5 hectare Sirocco air conditioning works in east Belfast, has been given outline planning permission.

Turley Associates, the planning consultants who have shepherded the application through planning, said the scheme would include over 2,000 homes and affordable housing, as well as offices, a hotel, restaurants, a supermarket, a care home and parks for cultural and community use.

"The scheme is likely to create more than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs, including 400 to 500 in the construction stage." But a spokesman added: "The recent recession means that the four-phased development in unlikely to commence immediately."

The securing of planning permission will improve the value of the site, which will have fallen dramatically in value since it was bought by Carvill Group from Ewart Properties for £40m in 2006 - then a record price for a development site.

A planning application was submitted by Carvill Group one year later.

Diana Fitzsimons, Turley Associates' Belfast office director, said: "This is a significant decision for Carvill Group and Belfast city centre.

"It is an exciting scheme that proposes different architects designing the individual blocks which will all be united by high-quality public spaces.

"This will produce an amazing transformation of this part of the city and will be one of the last pieces in the puzzle which redefines the city around its major river."

Carvill managing director Chris Carvill said: "It is our intention to integrate the derelict Sirocco site into the traditional city centre by providing a high-quality pedestrian/cycle bridge to the Waterfront Hall and lining up the main axis of the proposed development to ensure visual connectivity with the city centre core."

Carvill Group is best known as a residential builder and has built houses at Woodbrook, Lisburn and apartments at Belfast's The Embankment development.

News of Carvill Group's trading difficulties emerged at the end of January, ahead of a series of high-profile property failures in Northern Ireland.

Jermon Limited - the landlord of key retail properties in Belfast city centre - went into administration, while McAlister Holdings' Mervyn McAlister was declared bankrupt.

Three of Mr McAlister's sites, at Great Victoria Street and at housing developments in Coleraine and Dundonald, had gone into receivership. Mr McAlister then withdrew an appeal against a refusal of planning permission to his application to build a 37-storey building, The Aurora, at the Great Victoria Street site.


http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/planning-goahead-for-carvill-scheme-15115575.html

Carvill group now in administration:
One of Northern Ireland's leading construction companies, the Carvill Group, is to go into administration.

In a statement the group said the Carvill Group Limited, Carvill (Scotland) Limited and Carvill (Newcastle) Limited would all be affected.

The Carvill Group was behind the proposed redevelopment of the Sirocco Works site in east Belfast.

It blamed the "adverse economic climate" for the move.

Group managing director Christopher Carvill said: "This is a sad day for all of us who have tried so hard to find an alternative solution.

"I would like to thank all of the creditors who supported our efforts in this regard and apologise that we have not succeeded.

"We are very hopeful that current projects in hand will continue to be developed during the course of the administration process. This should ensure that current employment levels will be maintained.

"However this will ultimately be a decision for the appointed administrators."

According to the Carvill Group's website, the family has been in the construction business since Patrick Carvill established a building firm in Warrenpoint, County Down, in the 19th century.

It has been involved in projects in Germany, as well as Northern Ireland, England and Scotland.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13473880

There was some activity on the Sirocco site today. I was driving past so only got a quick glance, but lorries appeared to be removing materials that were in the storage pen on the east of the site. There were a couple of other lorries over by the incomplete building, but I couldn't see what they were doing.

If I had to guess, it looked like they were packing up whatever materials were on site and going home.

Is there ANY chance of it being saved? ^^ :ohno:

Is there ANY chance of it being saved? ^^ :ohno:

The best outcome would probably be for the government to vest the land, then break it up into individual sites, and development them individually as with the waterfront & gasworks etc.

I hate all this recession nonsense. It'd be great if the original plans went ahead I think.

It's funny thinking how different Belfast, the other UK cities and Dublin could have looked today if the boom had continued into 2012. Oh well...

The best outcome would probably be for the government to vest the land, then break it up into individual sites, and development them individually as with the waterfront & gasworks etc.

That is now a possibility I guess. However, that's what happened to the Laganside area, and it really hasn't lived up to it's potential because of the fragmented nature of development.

I was driving past the Sirocco site again today, the storage pen looks to be completely empty now, with the security gates left open. Site now appears to be totally abandoned.

So could we see the same plans do you think?