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http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/publications/homepage-features/features-sw-quarter.htm

Ritchie launches final Westside Regeneration Masterplan for Belfast

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, will publish today the final Regeneration Masterplan for the Westside of Belfast City Centre.

The masterplan has been finalised following extensive consultation with stakeholders on the draft proposals for the revitalisation of the Greater Castle Street area which the Minister published last year. The Minister also revealed that a landscape architect has been appointed to produce designs to renew Bank Square.

Margaret Ritchie said: "I am grateful to all those who responded to the consultation. I hope that they will share my view that this final plan will strengthen existing businesses trading in the area, attract new investment and provide the potential to reinforce community links from the city centre through to the west of the city. It also holds the prospect of promoting new homes at the heart of Belfast.

"The final plan emphasises the importance of a revitalised Bank Square. A landscape architect has now been appointed to produce designs for this area."

The proposals in the masterplan build on the area's existing strengths, including a well developed independent trader sector and a strong and unique historic character. The historic street pattern will be preserved while new sustainable development, sensitive to the character of the area, will be promoted.

The Minister continued: "This means delivering ground-level street frontages complemented by a network of streets and squares. The plan proposes to revitalise the core of the area by creating a new pedestrian-only route linking Fountain Lane and Chapel Lane. This has the potential to increase retail, café and restaurant activity."

At one end of this new street a new city centre square, to be called 'Fountain Square', is proposed. This ambitious development would significantly increase the numbers of shoppers and visitors into the area boosting tourism, economic development and the evening economy."

In addition, several strategic development opportunity sites are identified which could be brought forward in separate phases to improve linkages to neighbouring areas.

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Vetro building 26 storeys 98m

http://www.linelink.nl/boxarchitects/index.php?module=page&titleurl=project-vetro-belfast&p=0

http://www.linelink.nl/boxarchitects/images/page/13/1.jpg



HIGH HOPES FOR CASTLE STREET/KING STREET!!


Planning permission has been sought for a £50 million development project that will bring new life to the Castle Street/King Street area near Belfast city centre.


The project is led by developer Sun Explorer and consists of a landmark 26-storey building, 98 metres high.


Designed specifically for an International hotelier, the striking glass façade will bring an exciting addition to the architectural landscape of the city centre's previously neglected western gateway.

The building will be called The Vetro - the Italian word for glass - and will provide much needed construction jobs and around 300 full-time and part-time jobs. There will also be 144 *serviced apartments, and substantial leisure and conference facilities.


The development could be completed within two years of planning approval being given. A planning application has recently been lodged with the Department of the Environment for this key corner/landmark site and falls within the wider area identified for urban renewal/regeneration under the Department for Social Development's Westside Regeneration Masterplan.


Other partners in the project team include project manager Paul Durnien, of chartered surveyors Durnien.com, and award-winning architect Colin Conn, of BOX Architects. The planning agent is Tom Stokes of TSA Planning.


Paul Durnien, managing director of Durnien.com, said: "The development will be a tremendous asset to a part of Belfast that has lacked inward investment in recent years. The regeneration of this part of the city is a natural follow-on from the successful regeneration of the Laganside and Cathedral Quarter areas.


"The building will be an iconic landmark and the presence of a prestigious hotel represents a significant long-term investment for the local area and city centre economy.

"The site occupies a strategic location and the building will be an important addition to the skyline. It will be visible from the western approaches into Belfast, greatly strengthening the identity of the area and delivering a strong sense of arrival into the city centre.

"The architect, Colin Conn, who is best known for his work on the Spire at St Anne's Cathedral, has worked with us to create a piece of architectural design that will transform and define the western gateway to the City Centre. This area currently lacks identity and we hope that The Vetro will act as a catalyst to inject vibrancy and stimulate further investment in the area.

"There is great community spirit and pride in this area and we have focused our efforts to create an overall design that contrasts and complements the surrounding area. We have spoken with politicians across the community and have been greatly encouraged by their support for the project.

"We are delighted to be involved in this prestigious regeneration project, which will create a great first impression for the thousands of people who approach and pass through this busy part of the city."

Durnien.com and BOX Architects collaborated on the restoration of the Four Corners building at the corner of Waring Street and Donegall Street in Belfast. The development, which includes a Premier Inn hotel, opened in October last year.

The site of the vetro building can be seen on this picture. it is the 'Gateway hotel' on the corner of king street and castle street


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Is

Big

Hotel

CollegeCourt

area.

Sorry

for

weird

way

of

typing

space

bar

broken.

Pissed

Off

about

Space

bar

being

broken.

:bash:

I

see

now

:)

Is

there

space

for

both???

http://www.futurebelfast.co.uk/CollegeCourt.htm (http://www.futurebelfast.co.uk/CollegeCourt.htm)
College Court is here -
http://www.futurebelfast.co.uk/CollegeCourt_files/CollegeCourt%20-%20Map.jpg

http://www.futurebelfast.co.uk/CollegeCourtCentral.htm
College Court Central is here -
http://www.futurebelfast.co.uk/CollegeCourtCentral_files/CollegeCourtCentral%20-%20Map%20%282%29.jpg

The Vetro will be on the Yellow L shape site above it

Why

is

almost

everything

built

a

hotel.

glad

too

see

it

mind.(Vetro)

Forget about the big white elephant, the DSD document clearly shows 'athletic stores' to be refurbished, and its a building of character. Those to whom it may concern have been informed.

Forget about the big white elephant, the DSD document clearly shows 'athletic stores' to be refurbished, and its a building of character. Those to whom it may concern have been informed.

Was gonna point out the exact same thing! Someone should advise the paid "professionals" of whats really going on in this area lol

The Vetro will be on the Yellow L shape site above it

It looks from the pic with the traffic lights like the VETRO is on the other side of the Castle Street junction ... think its a bar at the moment .... or maybe im wrong...

I wonder what happened to Olive Tree House in this masterplan....

The Vetro at 100m tall would be the first real skyscraper in belfast. Hopefully the planners will approve it. But you never know with those guy's. It will be very visible from Castle Place/High Street behind the Bank Buildings etc. I won't mind as long as the 'Vetro' is all glass and we don't get short changed with glass and cladding on the elevations.

very visible from Castle Place/High Street behind the Bank Buildings

I would say this could be a stickler with the Planning Service. But then again they have already ruint the view around Castle Place in the last 40 years lol

I'm surprised at Vetro being proposed at 100m, I thought they declined Aurora because it was too tall? But I hope it gets the go ahead!

It's interesting that the DSD and margaret Ritchie say the 'the historic street pattern will be preserved' – if so, then why are they not doing something about the Castlecourt loading bay that cuts Berry Street in half? grr, that's such a bloody eyesore! And, 'delivering ground-level street frontages'? pfft!! it looks from this that College Court and Marquis Street will be largely made up of private car parks...
There were I think I remember several variations of this masterplan put forward originally, all with differing layouts for the Bank Square/Berry Street area, at least one of which suggested removing the loading bay, reopening Berry Street and thus making Bank Square larger.
Still, the new street idea is a good 'un, and the Vetro looks brill, but I'll be amazed if it gets planning permission, because of where it is if nothing else. If the Aurora appeal is successful and gets permission (and God knows when that will ever be) then the chances of seeing other towers like this becomes greater I reckon, but we'll see.

It's interesting that the DSD and margaret Ritchie say the 'the historic street pattern will be preserved' – if so, then why are they not doing something about the Castlecourt loading bay that cuts Berry Street in half? grr, that's such a bloody eyesore! And, 'delivering ground-level street frontages'? pfft!! it looks from this that College Court and Marquis Street will be largely made up of private car parks...
There were I think I remember several variations of this masterplan put forward originally, all with differing layouts for the Bank Square/Berry Street area, at least one of which suggested removing the loading bay, reopening Berry Street and thus making Bank Square larger.
Still, the new street idea is a good 'un, and the Vetro looks brill, but I'll be amazed if it gets planning permission, because of where it is if nothing else. If the Aurora appeal is successful and gets permission (and God knows when that will ever be) then the chances of seeing other towers like this becomes greater I reckon, but we'll see.

I think it was early ideas for future phases of the Streets Ahead scheme that also introduced the idea of opening up Berry Street again ... I think this has to happen and will definitely be beneficial ... i assume that the people behind this masterplan are working with the Streets Ahead team in what should be done with Bank Square .... i hope!

Forget about the big white elephant, the DSD document clearly shows 'athletic stores' to be refurbished, and its a building of character. Those to whom it may concern have been informed.

I have finally found a picture of this proposal delta!! >>

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/G2GAP/CityCentre/41-49QueenStreet-Redevelopment.jpg

Plus the reasons for the demolition are:



Fragmented retail space
Poor street frontages
Unusable three upper floors (other than for storage) - due to inadequate access and escape provisions and also due to a lightweight, deteriorating, unfireproofed structure.
Building
suffers from subsidence as confirmed by RPS Structural Engineers
Facade retention was the only possibility to omply with Building Regs- But this would create 50% fewer residential units, and the poor retail frontages would remain.
Facade retention would also mean no onsite parking - therefore difficult to market the residential units.

Perhaps getting the lorries off Berry St is impossible. Where else could castle court get their deliveries. That's a real pity about Athletic Stores. The replacement looks shit, and they've some cheek to pretend their ground floor is an improvement on the flawed current one. The red brickwork on athletic stores is great, if keeping them means there's less space for flats then maybe they could find alternative uses for them.

Fragmented retail space
Poor street frontages
Unusable three upper floors (other than for storage) - due to inadequate access and escape provisions and also due to a lightweight, deteriorating, unfireproofed structure.
Building
suffers from subsidence as confirmed by RPS Structural Engineers
Facade retention was the only possibility to omply with Building Regs- But this would create 50% fewer residential units, and the poor retail frontages would remain.
Facade retention would also mean no onsite parking - therefore difficult to market the residential units.

Yeah Yeah. Note the engineer was the developers. You could say all that about the City Hall!!!!!!
The bolded piece is hardly grounds for demolition - pathetic. Next week is the case, hopefully the judge will see past the money.

The new proposal-looks exactly like that piece of dung called Causeway Exchange at the start of Bedford Street - what a mess it is, can't wait until its demolished.

Yeah Yeah. Note the engineer was the developers. You could say all that about the City Hall!!!!!!
The bolded piece is hardly grounds for demolition - pathetic. Next week is the case, hopefully the judge will see past the money.

The new proposal-looks exactly like that piece of dung called Causeway Exchange at the start of Bedford Street - what a mess it is, can't wait until its demolished.

From what i could find the owner of 41-49 is Mr P Blakely ... I assume he owns Carlisle Property Developments ... the structural engineer was a different company to be fair ... although i know what you mean about them not being independant or on behalf of the Planning Service etc ...

I suppose it all comes down to the commercial viability of the property ... didnt know the hearing was next week ... anymore details on it?? Would love to go if it was open to the public!

Did any of you guy's sign the petition and pass it on?. With all the empty spaces around west side, we could keep most of the old buildings and have some iconic new ones like the one announced today. Thats why its worth fighting to keep Frames and Athletic stores, gives a bit of interest and history to the area. Its sad that those in authority protecting old buildings have to be taken to court by a charity.

http://www.uahs.org.uk/resources/news/2009/09/culture_night_places_light_on_arcade.php

Apparently they will be taking names at this interesting talk this Friday, I might go along.

Re: Athletic stores
I'll be honest, from the render, I don't mind the look of this, however the devil as always is in the details, and the render doesn't really show any. I agree if they end up using the same sort of materials as used on Causeway Exchange it will end up looking totally pish. If there is one thing I really hate about modern brick buidings it's the use of utterly hideous homogenised bricks be they red or horror of horrors, yellow á la Lesley exchange.. can't they recycle old Belfast bricks?
Why can't they recess the windows in a similar way the the old warehouse/bingo hall across the street? Flush windows on buildings like this always end up looking 'wrong' in my eyes, again see Causeway Exchange as a perfect example.
On a final note, was the intention not to retain the corner turret of the original building?

The final master plan is up on the DSD website now -
http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/bcc-westside-regeneration-masterplan.pdf

havent gone through it properly yet but I dont think there are major changes from the draft masterplan above. However one difference is around bank square, which was to be enclosed but now seems to be open at both ends


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Oh I love Vetro, looks fabulous

I assume they have already got a hotel in mind seeing as it has been designed for them. Be interesting to see which one.

Masterplan looks very good, especially like the new street idea.

As for the Atheltic Store, looks utterly shit. Fail to see where they have retained any details and that includes the doors.
They could very easily retain the façade and demolish everything behind it and start over, maybe they should take a walk round to Royal Avenue and see H&M or carry on walking to the Four Corners.

So we have Obel and Lanyon towers under construction, Bedford square waiting to be built, the Aurora appeal and Vetro and St Georges Gate pending planning permission. Then there's the Sirocco tower, Queens quay tower, perhaps further highrise TQ developments and the Bridgend apartments, the lighthouse... Looks like in 6 - 7 years time Belfast could have a very nice little skyline forming up :D I really hope Bedford square hasn't quietly been dropped, although last time I head, they were just waiting for a major tenant. Also, there is plenty of room for smaller highrises in the new development area.

I think the vetro will get planning permission. The issue with they had with the aurora was that it was completely out of proportion to its surroundings which I dont think is the case here. One of the developers said that depending on planning permission, work would begin on the site in just over a year. I'll believe it when i see it

This is absolutely fantastic!

Solving Berry Street isn’t easy, unless offcourse you put the loading bay u/g. However I agree it should be opened up and would connect this area up with the Cathedral Quarter and Royal Exchange.

Re Aurora's height...once Bedford square goes up and Vetro plus isnt there a highrise as part of the new Murray Tobacco site...then Aurora wouldn't look out of place at all.

Berry Street is not completely cut off you can walk from Royal Avenue and into Bank Square, yeah the brick wall looks awful, but I doubt that is going to change, Castle court needs loading bays and underground space would be cost prohibitive. especially as retail is not exactly enjoying a boom at the minute.

Berry Street is not completely cut off you can walk from Royal Avenue and into Bank Square, yeah the brick wall looks awful, but I doubt that is going to change, Castle court needs loading bays and underground space would be cost prohibitive. especially as retail is not exactly enjoying a boom at the minute.

I was thinking, couldn't they convert part of the ground level of the existing multistorey carpark? though height might be an issue... and then add another floor on top.

I think i got the site of the vetro slightly wrong. Box architects had a stall in the oh yeah centre last night as part of culture night and it showed the building to be basically on the other side of the road in between King Street and Marquis street where they meet Castle street. The site which says 'office of retail' in the map above