News / 24th April 2024
Plans for Fanum and Norwood House redevelopment submitted
Property development company South Bank Square has submitted a planning application for a new £55m purpose built student accommodation development on the site of Fanum and Norwood House on Great Victoria Street. The proposal will include the demolition of the vacant 11-storey office building. Set to be known as The Grattan, the new build will include 594 bedrooms, a café, residents lounge, fitness suite, business hub and landscaped roof terrace.
Fanum House was formerly the Belfast headquarters for newspapers and media including the Irish Times, RTE and Sky, with its rooftop the setting for many TV reports during the Troubles, most memorably by RTE on Bloody Friday back in 1972.
The BID believes the plans will help to achieve the ambitions set out in our Regeneration Vision while also supporting the objectives behind the recently completed ‘Great Expectations for Great Victoria Street’ programme. This streetscape enhancement programme set out to enhance the look and feel of Great Victoria Street in order to promote it as a viable pedestrian route between City Centre / Grand Central Station and Queen’s University. The anticipated increase in footfall that will generated by this development will help support hospitality trade in the area while also improving community safety by increasing social surveillance, particularly in the evenings.
The Linen Quarter BID is actively working to promote the Linen Quarter as Northern Ireland’s premier destination for private investment, while ensuring that any investment contributes to the development of a vibrant, safe and sustainable District.
