Planning for a hotel at Lanyon Place began back in the early 1990's when an application was submitted to construct a hotel on the Hilton site. This was approved and the Hilton Hotel was announced as the hotel operator. Construction began on the 15 storey brick clad building in August 1996 by Mivan following a design by WDR & RT Taggart. In May 1997 during construction a planning application was submitted, and later approved, to add an additional floor of rooms to the previously approved application. On 27th February 1998 an official rooftop ceremony marked the topping out of the building and the last of 9,800 cubic metres of concrete was poured. Construction continued until summer 1998 when the fitout of the hotel began. On 12 September 1998 the £23m Hilton Belfast opened. It hosts 195 rooms over 15 storeys [one more floor than originally planned due to the May 1997 planning application to add an additional floor] creating a tower 60m above ground level.  

In April 1998 developer Ewart opened a £2m multi- storey car park with 238 spaces, designed to service the Waterfront Hall and the Hilton.

Structural Engineer: WDR & RT Taggart
Quantity Surveyor: Bruce Shaw
M & E Engineer: Mott MacDonald
Piling: FK-Stent Joint Venture
Steelwork Supplier: George Johnston
M & E Services: Stothers M&E
Brickwork: Ciaran O’Hare
Precast Concrete: Breton Precast
Lift Supplier: OTIS
Subcontractor: MGA Communications
Subcontractor: Strong Construction
Glazing: McNeill-McManus
Metalwork: McGrath Brothers Ltd