A disused building on Belfast’s Ormeau Avenue is to be transformed into an upmarket aparthotel, bar and grillroom.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced that Nicholas and Paul Hill have been selected as the Department’s preferred developer for the former Armagh House building on Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.

This follows a selection process managed by the Department’s Belfast Regeneration Office.

The £20 million investment will renovate the former government building into the ‘Drake ApartHotel’ which will be an ‘upmarket’ 4/5 star aparthotel aimed at longer term visitors to Belfast who want the flexibility of apartment living with all the advantages offered by a hotel.

-- Advertisement --

The ‘Drake’ will complement its sister development, the Ten Square Hotel in Donegall Square. It will include 30 apartments for let including two penthouse suites. It is understood the scheme will also bring new jobs to the area with 71 full-time and 20 part-time jobs projected.

The Minister said: “The redevelopment of the old Armagh House building is a great opportunity to ensure the existing character of the area is retained while creating a significant new building on a prominent site in this area of the city.”

Developer Paul Hill also commented: “This is a long-term commitment by us and we would intend to sympathetically restore and extend the old Armagh House building to produce a unique luxury development which will complement not only our own existing interests but the wider regeneration of this area of Belfast.

“I look forward to working closely with Belfast Regeneration Office and local interests as we take this exciting project forward.”

It is hoped the project will be complete by October 2008.

(JM/SP)