PUBLIC transport provider Translink has named developer MRP as its private sector partner for Belfast’s transformational £500 million Weavers Cross development.
The scheme will incorporate the new £175m Belfast Grand Central Station which will replace the Europa bus station and Great Victoria Street train station.
It also comprises 1.3 million sq ft of mixed-use office, residential, hotel and retail/leisure space to be developed across a 30-acre site between the Europa and the West Link. This is estimated to cost £320m and take 20 years to complete.
MRP (www.mrp.co.uk), the investment and development arm of McAleer & Rushe in Co Tyrone, is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading property development and investment firms specialising in multi-sector, mixed use schemes.
It is behind The Ewart, the new £85m iconic office building in Belfast’s Bedford Street, and has a strong pipeline of projects in key cities across the UK.
It has a successful track record with more than 50 years of experience in delivering sustainable, high quality city centre development and regeneration projects, many of which are high-profile schemes across both the public and private sectors.
Translink chief executive Chris Conway said: “We’re delighted to partner with MRP on this major regeneration project which will bring significant benefits to Belfast and Northern Ireland.
“This is the most significant transport led development project in NI and MRP shares our vision for regeneration and place-making to deliver tangible and lasting positive social, economic and environmental benefits.
“The international connectivity which the transport hub will bring, along with an imaginative mixed-use development will create an exciting new city centre neighbourhood that will be a catalyst for economic growth. It will also drive a modal shift to public transport and will play a major role in helping achieve our carbon emission reduction targets.”
Stephen Surphlis, managing director of MRP said: “The vision for Weavers Cross is a bold one, marrying world-class urban design that incorporates the latest sustainable practices to create a new neighbourhood for Belfast that will impact positively on all of Northern Ireland.
“We’re looking forward to commencing this partnership with Translink and engaging with the community and interested parties to make this development a reality, unlocking the project’s huge potential and helping to regenerate the local area.”
Joe Kennedy, US Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, who recently visited the site, said: “The new surrounding city neighbourhood Weavers Cross will bring 1.3 million square feet of mixed-use space to a strategic location in the city and will be a catalyst for employment and innovation which will deliver on the Department for Economy’s 10X Economy Strategy.”
Source: irishnews.com
