Business

MRP formally submits bid for £80m student accommodation scheme in Belfast city centre

Development of 895 residential units will require considerable demolition programme on Castle Street

Design visual demonstrating how MRP's proposed student accommodation scheme would look from Castle Street.
Design visual demonstrating how MRP's proposed student accommodation scheme would look from Castle Street.
By Ryan McAleer

Co Tyrone developer MRP has formally submitted a planning application for an £80 million student accommodation scheme in Belfast city centre.

The proposed development of the 895 units will require the demolition of a considerable block of buildings between Castle Street, Queen Street and Fountain Street, including the eight-storey Norwich Union House.

A 200-space multi-storey car park and Westgate House, on the corner of Castle Street and Queen Street, would also be razed under the plans.

MRP is the investment and development arm of Cookstown based McAleer and Rushe.

The bid for the massive student accommodation scheme comes four years after the company secured planning approval for a six storey office scheme at Norwich Union House.

“The McKeever Group has built its reputation on strong ‘family’ values which very much reflect our own. “We’re delighted they recognised both the quality of our offering and the clear synergies between our hotels which will ensure The Lodge Hotel becomes a natural extension of the McKeever Group.
Design visual demonstrating how MRP's proposed student accommodation scheme would look from an aerial perspective.
Design visual demonstrating how MRP's proposed student accommodation scheme would look from an aerial perspective.

In a supporting statement submitted to Belfast city council’s planning department, MRP’s agents said “the downward change in the office market and societal changes post-Covid”, meant the company has been forced to “recalibrate” its plans for the site.

MRP is now seeking permission for a much larger scale development, involving the demolition of additional buildings.

According to the agents: “MRP has assembled an exciting regeneration opportunity that will transform an area of decline and neglect within Belfast city centre into a thriving new purpose built managed student accommodation, that will combine the highest quality in new student living space with ground floor retail floorspace, and bring much needed vibrancy and youthful energy into Belfast city centre.”

MRP’s development portfolio includes a number of large student schemes in Belfast, including the 747-unit Elms BT1 building on College Avenue and the 490-unit Elms BT2 scheme on McClintock Street.

The company also completed a 269-unit scheme on Bruce Street last year for Vita Student.

Design visual demonstrating how MRP's proposed student accommodation scheme would look from Castle Street.
Design visual demonstrating how MRP's proposed student accommodation scheme would look from Castle Street.