ONE of the north's largest-ever office schemes has been granted planning permission.
The £46 million City Quays 3 development was approved by the Department for Infrastructure yesterday.
The 250,000 Grade A office block will provide space for up to 3,000 workers across 16 storeys and support up to 600 jobs during the expected two-year construction term.
The new office development is to be built to the BREEAM Excellent sustainability standard and will include roof terraces and winter gardens taking advantage of the waterfront cityscape views.
The scheme, designed by Belfast-based architects RPP and being brought forward by Belfast Harbour will join existing office buildings City Quays 1 and 2 as well as the 188-bedroom AC by Marriot hotel.
A planning application was submitted for the office building in May 2017, but due to the scale of the project the final decision rested with the Department for Infrastructure and not Belfast City Council.
Construction is due to start this year, with completion expected in 2021.
Speaking previously about City Quays 3, Graeme Johnson, Belfast Harbour's property director said:
"As with the two previous offices, City Quays 3 will be a speculative development, which is a reflection of how strong demand for this quality of office space in Belfast is."
The planning approval comes in the same week that a £17m multi-storey car park opened in the City Quays development.
The 907 space car park has been designed to service tenants in the £275m mixed use scheme, as well as provide parking for guests at the AC by Marriott Hotel, commuters and other visitors to the city.
The car park is being operated by NCP - the UK's largest parking retailer and operator. City Quays is NCP's third car park in Belfast city centre.
