The Boat is a 14 storey 33,000sq ft mixed use building located at the corner of Queens Square and Donegal Quay on the Lagan riverfront. The building was designed by local architect Barrie Todd of Todd Architects for Strangford Estates who then planned an extension to the Boat named the Lifeboat which would provide more office space, apartments and a bar. The entire scheme provides a mix of restaurant & bar space, office space and apartments.

The original planning application for the Boat was submitted in June 2005 and received approval in March 2006 [Z/2005/1291/F]. Construction of the 14 storey scheme got underway in May 2007. During the same period in early 2007 the adjoining 950sq ft site of the Lifeboat bar was purchased by the developer for approximately £1m. A planning application was lodged in October 2007 [Z/2007/2368/F) for an extension to the Boat which was granted in March 2009. The application allowed for the demolition of the bar and the construction of a bar / restaurant, offices & 4 apartments with basement car parking. The steel frame of the extension began to be erected in July 2009 and both the Boat and Lifeboat extension were completed in December 2009.

During the Autumn of 2010 it was announced that Grafton Employment Group had acquired four floors of the Boat. Grafton began fitting out the 13,000sq ft of office space during October and November 2010. Propertyweek.com reported in November that Grafton would pay £12.25/sq ft, compared with the quoting rent of £14/sq ft and would have a rent-free period. 

Piling: Larsen Piling
Curtain Walling: McMullen Systems
Brick Laying: Ronan Murtagh
Engineer: Ian Black Consulting
M & E Contractor: J&G Engineering
Consultant: Johnston Houston
Consultant: Simpson & Crawford ConsultingLift Installation: Northern Lifts & Escalators Ltd

Commercial Agent: Osborne King
Residential Agent: Templeton Robinson