Work is underway for the construction of 778 new homes in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.
Preparatory construction work began in July for the £117 million development, right beside the city’s most popular tourist attraction Titanic Belfast.
The Loft Lines will provide Belfast’s first ever ”build-to-rent” apartments, alongside social housing, with the website stating that they have learnt from the “Swiss approach to living”.
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On a 3.8 acre site, the apartments will be split among three buildings and will include studios, one-bed, two-beds and three-beds.
Internal and external amenity spaces are in current provisions – including spaces for co-working and leisure.
Each block will provide a shared external amenity courtyard on the first floor and another amenity space at roof level.
Credit: Todd Architects
Flexible commercial and community floor space has been reserved for convenience stores with a hot food counter, a cafe, a bar and a restaurant.
In regards to public realm changes, both a public recreational square and a waterfront promenade skirting along the River Lagan are planned for the development, situated on Queen’s Island.
Cycle and car parking will be provided with developers stating their intention to “prioritise pedestrians and bikes over cars” – this includes bike storage with wash down and repair facilities and covered storage for visitors’ cycles.
Although applicants Lacuna Developments, Watkin Jones PLC and Pirrie Belfast Limited secured approval in April 2022, it was announced in October that commencement would be delayed until “at least spring 2023” due to the financial climate.
By June of this year, a contract was awarded to Graham Construction and construction has now officially begun.
Completion of the apartments is expected in late 2025.
Credit: @niplanner
All private apartments will be run by an onsite management team and monthly rent payments will include gym and wi-fi.
On The Loft Lines website, the development has been hailed as a “new way of living for people of all ages, incomes and occupations”.
“It’s a fully managed site of private, affordable and social homes surrounded by walkways, boulevards, a park and an urban woodland. It’s a place where lifestyle is scaled up.”
Feature Image Credit: Todd Architects
