Co Down construction group Graham has been appointed by Belfast City Council to develop housing on public-owned sites in the city centre.
Part of a longer-term plan with a development potential in the region of £630 million, the initial phase will seek to leverage council-owned sites with a development value of £280m, to deliver mixed tenure homes.
Belfast City Council said the appointment of Graham followed a public procurement process to seek a partner to develop housing projects at scale.
The Hillsborough based group has been a key contractor for delivering major construction projects across the private and public sector in Belfast over the past two decades.
“Belfast has seen significant regeneration in recent years and there is high demand to live, work, socialise, study, and invest here,” said Councillor Ryan Murphy, chair of the council’s strategic policy and resources committee.
“In response to a clear imperative to accelerate city centre living, and to address sustained housing stress across the city, the council has brought forward this game-changing opportunity to deliver transformative change in our city centre and beyond.”
“Securing Graham as our delivery partner signals our intent and ambition to deliver quality new homes across a range of tenures.”
Councillor Sam Nelson, chair of the council’s city growth and regeneration committee, added: “Accelerating city centre living and delivering quality homes across the wider city is one of Belfast’s most pressing priorities.
“As well as providing new homes, this opportunity will provide social value, create employment opportunities, deliver quality outdoor spaces, and support a vibrant, inclusive, and liveable city.
“Graham has the relevant experience, capability, and resources to match the scale of our ambition for the city.”
John McDonald, investment projects managing director at Graham said: “We look forward to building a meaningful, long-term collaborative relationship with the council, and other stakeholders, to expeditiously unlock Belfast’s regeneration potential.
“This partnership is a unique development vehicle that can make an important contribution to the council’s strategic aspiration to deliver thousands of much-needed new homes for people of all ages and backgrounds.
“Graham is rooted in Belfast. Together with the Council, we will be ambitious and build momentum across the portfolio of sites to accelerate development.
“Our firm commitment is to create homes that contribute to vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities in the city centre and across the city.”
