Plans for The Sixth, a £75m redevelopment of the former Belfast Telegraph building, have been approved by Belfast City Council’s planning committee
The mixed-use scheme includes 230,000 square feet of creative workspace, alongside ‘active’ ground floor uses such as cafes, restaurants and retail and a rooftop running track. The plans were prepared by Bel Tel LLP, a first of its kind joint venture between McAleer & Rushe and Belfast City Council.
Highlighting the impact of The Sixth on the redevelopment of the city, Councillor Matt Garrett, chair of Belfast City Council’s planning committee, said: “The Sixth occupies a strategic location on Royal Avenue that will be a catalyst for further regeneration, bringing a historic heritage building back into use as a forward-thinking workspace for creative businesses.
“The scheme has been specifically designed to respect the existing built heritage in this part of the city, which is set to be further transformed over the next two to three years, and The Sixth will build on the momentum already generated by the Ulster University investment.”
On behalf of Bel Tel LLP Suzanne Wylie, chief executive of Belfast City Council said: “The aim of this joint venture is a strategic investment in the city, delivering workspace of a world class scale and quality for local or international occupiers seeking accommodation in the city core.
“Council has a particular focus on wellness and well being within the Belfast Agenda, and the inclusion of a roof-top running track as part of this development, highlights the evolving nature and role of workspace in the city centre.
“By planning for the future, The Sixth will create real estate that better reflects how and where we work, whilst also bringing back into life a building of significance to our city and media’s commercial heritage.”
Designed by Stirling Prize-winning architectural practice Alford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), the Sixth will create accommodation for 2,000 high value jobs as part of an emerging creative district.
In addition to AHMM the supporting project team includes national planning and development consultancy Turley, Sort Design and commercial agents CBRE and Lisney.
