Lunn’s the Jewellers has said it will invest £5.5 million in expanding its presence on Belfast’s Donegall Place.
Work is currently ongoing on the project to extend the retailer’s floorspace into the listed building next door, which was acquired by the business in 2023.
The building at 25-27 Donegall Place is the oldest structure in the city centre street and the last surviving townhouse dating back to 1791.
Once complete, the family-owned jewellers said it will see the current Rolex showroom more than triple its existing footprint to over 200 square metres.
The building was famously the first home of the Carlton Café, which was established in 1912 by Frederick William Henry, the entrepreneur who later acquired Queen’s Arcade in 1919.
The building has been vacant since fashion chain Oasis ceased trading in 2020.
Lunn’s is hoping to complete the project ahead of The Open Championship, which returns to Royal Portrush in July 2025.
Rolex is the official timekeeper for the golf major.
The original Rolex showroom at Queen’s Arcade opened in July 2019 just ahead of the 148th Open Championship in Portrush.
Lunn’s said the new expanded store will retain its original entrance in Queen’s Arcade, but will significantly increase its frontage on Donegall Place.
It has been designed to an exacting specification by the Rolex design team to feature marble flooring, walnut wood panelling and a fluted marble wall, inspired by Rolex’s famous fluted bezel.
“The new space will allow us to offer our clients an even better experience, fully immersed in the Rolex brand with exceptional hospitality and service,” said managing director, John Lunn.
“Clients will have the opportunity to view the Rolex range in the very best environment that is on a standard with the world’s leading shopping destinations.”
Richard de Leyser, managing director of Rolex UK, said: “Lunn’s have been a loyal and committed partner to Rolex and in light of their achievements with Queen’s Arcade, we look forward to growing this relationship with the expansion into Donegall Place.
“As a result, the exceptional customer service that Lunn’s provides to the Rolex community in Northern Ireland will continue to grow even further.”
