ULSTER Bank is proving the key funding for one the most anticipated new hotel developments in Belfast in recent years.
The Titanic Hotel Belfast in the heart of the city’s Titanic Quarter is the result of a major restoration project involving the former Harland & Wolff headquarters building and Drawing Offices.
The bank provided development funding for the 119-bedroom luxury hotel (www.titanichotelbelfast.com) which opened for business earlier this month
The hotel has been developed by Harcourt Developments, which has regenerated the former H&W headquarters building and drawing offices, thanks in part to a £5m grant towards the refurbishment of the Drawing Offices, secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) by Titanic Foundation Ltd.
The luxury hotel’s rooms all have spectacular views of Belfast’s rich shipbuilding history, from the Harland & Wolff cranes to the east to Titanic Belfast and the slipways to the west.
More than 230 people were employed by Harcourt during the hotel construction and the hotel is creating over 75 permanent jobs.
Gordon Davidson, relationship director at Ulster Bank, said: “Such is the heritage and history of the project that we expect the hotel to draw visitors from around the world, providing a significant boost to the city and the economy.
"We have worked closely with the team and have been hugely impressed by their vision and passion for the project. It is one that we are very pleased to support.”
The hotel's general manager Adrian McNally said: “The hotel has achieved very high occupancy levels in its first week and the reservations book is filling up quickly.”
