An exciting future has been predicted for Belfast City Centre as the Merchant Square development begins – which will kick-start a transformation in the city. The major project to build a nine-storey Grade A office building is set to begin, which is housed in the centre of Belfast’s business district.

The Merchant Square scheme on Wellington Place will yield 227,000 sq ft of retail and office space, housing up to 3,000 employees. The project, due to complete at the end of 2019, will dramatically improve the business infrastructure in the wider city centre. Funding has been secured from Northern Ireland Investment Fund and Fairfield Finance to deliver the new building, with owner Oakland Group being advised by local firm Radius Corporate Finance.

The £70m building is just the beginning of big things in Belfast, all of which will be central to our Northern Ireland Development Plans Conference later this year, which will be held at Belfast Castle.

Guy Hollis of developers Oakland Group predicts an exciting future in the city saying: ”We know there is demand for Grade A office space in Belfast and we foresee increasing investment in the city in the coming years. The Merchant Square development will have a transformative impact on Belfast City Centre and will herald the beginning of a new era of commercial infrastructure in the city. Our project will have a multiplier effect around Wellington Place, Queen Street and College Square.”

He added: ”Among the unique features of Merchant Square is the sustainable nature of the development, with an emphasis on the provision of ‘green’ working space. Merchant Square has already been awarded a ‘CycleScore’ certificate in recognition of the provision of ‘best in class cycling facilities’ for tenants and building is designed to attract a ‘very good’ Breeam rating, which measures the environmental impact. Each of the nine floors will provide up to 24,000 sq ft of workspace and the entire building will incorporate smart building technology through wireless networks.”

We’re excited to hear about the ongoing and future developments set to transform Belfast City Centre. Join us at the conference > BOOK NOW.