Northern Ireland

Inside Belfast’s ‘little Empire State’ building ahead of flagship £100m transformation

Crowds were welcomed to a guided tour of the building this week

The listed former Bank of Ireland building, which will be restored as part of the £100 million Belfast Stories visitor attraction. Picture by Mal McCann
The listed former Bank of Ireland building, which will be restored as part of the £100 million Belfast Stories visitor attraction. Picture by Mal McCann

People have been given a rare look inside the historic Bank of Ireland building in Belfast city centre ahead of a major £100m transformation.

Described as the city’s flagship project of the region deal, Belfast Stories is set to transform the site of the listed art deco building on Royal Avenue, which has been vacant for 16 years.

Belfast's former Bank of Ireland building on the corner of Royal Avenue. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
Belfast's former Bank of Ireland building on the corner of Royal Avenue. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN

This project will be underpinned by a ‘hugely ambitious programme’ to gather stories and oral histories including those relating to the building and immediate area.

Tours are taking place of the building which was designed by architect Joseph Vincent Downes the building was completed in 1931.

Wendy Langham, Program Director at Belfast Stories, said many were keen to discover the history of the building’s surviving features and plans for the new creative hub.

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Belfast's former Bank of Ireland building on the corner of Royal Avenue. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
Belfast's former Bank of Ireland building on the corner of Royal Avenue. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN

Speaking to the Irish News at the site, Wendy said: “It is referred to as the Angel of the City or the Little Empire because allegedly it is modelled on the Empire State Building in New York, so it’s one of the very few Art Deco buildings left and we need to protect that for future generations.

“Looking forward as our plans are evolving we would love for the building to remain in public use so many elements will remain open to the public.

“We are now looking at how this can be part of a really exciting visitor experience for the city with plans including a visitor experience of scale where we will welcome around 700,000 visitors a year so we have plans for a creative hub which will continue to program, collect and curate stories from the city.

“Belfast Stories also has two auditoria, an indoor event space and on the outside a courtyard for events and the most amazing rooftop garden where we can hopefully give people food and drink when they visit.”

Having changed ownership several times, the building was purchased by Belfast City Council in 2021.

Belfast's former Bank of Ireland building on the corner of Royal Avenue. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
Belfast's former Bank of Ireland building on the corner of Royal Avenue. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN

The ‘Take Back the City’ campaign temporarily occupied it in 2012 before the building was purchased by Belfast City Council in 2021.

People in Belfast are being asked to give their views on the proposed design of a new £100m visitor attraction in the city, which is due to open by 2030.

Architectural illustration of what Belfast Stories might look like from North Street aerial view
Architectural illustration of what Belfast Stories might look like from North Street aerial view

Belfast Lord Mayor, Mickey Murray said they are eager for people to share their views in a public consultation.

He told the Irish News: “It’s great to have people physically in this space and get a feeling of what this space is and could be.

“We have released our concept ideas of what we believe the building should look like but we really want to hear from the public. Everything we do as a council is influenced by the public.

“We have the Belfast agenda which is our community plan and part of that is delivering Belfast stories which is exactly what is says it is - telling the stories of Belfast. That’s why it is so important for people to engage with this public consultation.”

Architectural illustration of what Belfast Stories might look like from the central courtyard
Architectural illustration of what Belfast Stories might look like from the central courtyard

Belfast Stories is out to Public Consultation until February 23.