UK: Belfast-based developer Big Top Productions has submitted plans for the conversion of a former police station into a 74-bedroom aparthotel.
Built in 1878, the listed building on Queen Street was originally developed for the Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. It was used as a police station by the RUC between 1934 until 1993, and has been vacant for the past 27 years. The premises were granted grade B1 listed status in 1979.
Big Top Productions’ proposal involves demolishing part of the building’s rear, replacing it with a new block, including a bar and restaurant on the site.
A report supporting the application says: “The architectural intention of the proposed scheme is to sensitively refurbish the historic block fronting onto Queen Street, remove the existing rear block and build a new multi-storey extension in its place.”
Big Top productions is also converting the former Teachers whisky building in the city in to serviced apartments.
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