Plans have been submitted for a multi-storey car park and public plaza at the King’s Hall site in south Belfast.
The multi-million pound project, which also includes new ground level commercial and leisure space, marks the next major phase in the redevelopment of the former events venue into a new £100 million private health village.
The new 552-space car park and the adjoining public plaza will form the centre point to the overall King’s Hall site.
The central location, known as ‘plot 8’, is currently a surface level car park.
Prior to the relocation of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society in 2012, the area was used as part of the Balmoral Show grounds.
The new King’s Hall health and life sciences hub has already signed up a number of tenants, including the north’s largest private hospital group Kingsbridge, which operates a diagnostic and treatment centre at the site.
Private eye care specialist SpaMedica and London-listed data analytics company Diaceutics have also set up at the King’s Hall complex.
In June 2024, the north’s first fully mixed tenure apartment scheme opened at the location.
The £14m residential development includes 45 social housing apartments for the 55s, integrated with 36 privately rented units.
The second phase of King’s Hall apartments for the over 55s, known as ‘The Residences’, was launched in October.
The latest planning application has been submitted by KH (Balmoral) Developments Limited.
The company is subsidiary of Vetriano, an Isle of Man-registered investment vehicle controlled by Irish entrepreneur Barry Connolly.
Best known for his Richmond Marketing brand business, Mr Connolly also founded the nutrition bar ‘Fulfill’, which was sold for a reported €160 million (£133m) in 2022.
Richmond’s northern office base is located on the Lisburn Road, just one mile from the King’s Hall site.
Mr Connolly’s significant Northern Ireland property investments include a large portfolio of pub premises, which fall under Jeeves Hospitality Ltd, and The Tannery building on Belfast’s Castle Street.
