A private hospital is one of the business proposals being considered by the new owner of Crumlin Road Courthouse.
The listed derelict structure in north Belfast has been acquired by Co Fermanagh-based property investor David Mahon.
The Kesh-based businessman, who is the grand master of the Orange Order in Co Donegal, is one of the most prolific property owners in the north.
His interests include the Castle Archdale caravan site and marina in Co Fermanagh, the Linen Green shopping complex in Co Tyrone, the De Courcy Centre in Carrickfergus, Kings Square shopping mall in east Belfast and Murrayfield Shopping Centre in Larne.
According to Companies House, he is the director of dozens of property businesses in the north.
His latest deal to acquire Crumlin Road Courthouse was first reported by the Belfast Telegraph.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster on Thursday Morning, Mr Mahon said development proposals were now being considered for the listed building.
He said a private hospital was one of the ideas under consideration, but said no decisions had been made.
The derelict courthouse is located close to the Mater Hospital in north Belfast.
Completed in 1850, the Charles Lanyon designed building has been vacant since it closed in 1998.
- Charity that works to regenerate historic buildings 'deeply saddened' by former Crumlin Road courthouse fireOpens in new window
- ‘I’m not ready to sit around and clip coupons’ - the 84-year-old American behind Belfast’s new prison distilleryOpens in new window
- Liverpool hotelier puts two Belfast properties up for saleOpens in new window
It was acquired by Liverpool-based developer Lawrence Kenwright in 2017, who immediately announced plans to invest £25 million in a hotel venture.
Planning permission was secured for a hotel, but the property was placed on the market in 2019 following the collapse of Mr Kenwright’s Signature Living hotel business.
The former courthouse was significantly damaged in a 2020 arson attack.
Speaking about his plans for the site, Mr Mahon appeared to rule out a hotel development.
“It just doesn’t stack up financially,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.
“We are meeting at the moment, meeting with architects and planning consultants, to see the best way forward and what’s most viable on the site.
“It is a very iconic building and we would like to see it back in some form of use.
“But nobody knows the costings yet, because of prices in the construction industry now.”
