One of the UK’s leading family-owned private hospitality groups has revealed plans to invest £50 million in a new 145-room boutique hotel in Belfast city centre.
Glendola Leisure and Carlton Hotel Collection, which operates dozens of bars and restaurants in Britain, wants to transform the site of the Tipsy Bird on Ann Street - whose customers have previously included Taylor Swift.
The move incorporates the courtyard behind the existing venue and the currently vacant Jamison & Green building, with additional access to Donegal Quay through two other buildings which it already owns.
A proposal of application notice (PAN) has been submitted to Belfast City Council, detailing plans for a luxuty hotel.
It will feature 145 lifestyle rooms and suites, a champagne bar with panoramic views of Belfast, a fine dining restaurant, a rooftop terrace with event space, a Jamison & Green pub, a gym and spa, and a courtyard area.
Alex Salussolia, founder and managing director of Glendola Leisure Group, which bought the Tipsy Bird in 2019, said: “This is an exciting proposal to regenerate this significant area of the city centre.
“Our proposed hotel will create 120-150 employment opportunities and will be the first on the island of Ireland to be part of the Design Hotels group of design-driven, luxury hotels.
“The hotel will offer guests a high-quality hospitality experience, including top-tier restaurants and bars with a 360-degree view of the city and Belfast Lough from the rooftop event spaces.
“The ground-level courtyard will enhance the city centre’s amenities and create new connections between the river and the cathedral quarter.”
With the PAN notice now submitted, engagement with local stakeholders will continue via a drop-in pre-application community consultation event on Wednesday August 28 from 2pm-6pm in the Tipsy Bird, while a virtual consultation website will be available from then until September 18 at www.AnnStreetConsultation.com
Glendola Leisure Group, established in 1973, has a diverse portfolio that includes the Waxy O’Connor’s pubs, Alston Bar & Beef, Gordon Street Coffee Roastery, and Shilling Co Brewery.
Its Carlton Hotel Collection of 11 four-star hotels includes the Carlton Ambassador in The Hague, The Dominican in Brussels, Banks Mansion in Amsterdam, Market Street Hotel in Edinburgh, and Carlton George in Glasgow.