A four-storey commercial building with frontage to Donegall Place and Fountain Street. The ground and part first floor is let to Boots. The building was designed by Blackwood & Jury / Arthur Swift & Partners for Ulster Bank and built by McLaughlin & Harvey between 1973 – 1974.
The property was owned by Wildrose Properties (3) Ltd since at least 2007. Wildrose was placed into administration in March 2012 and the administrator placed the property on the market during early 2015.
The 82,000ft2 building was purchased in May 2015 by a consortium comprising Lumina Real Estate Capital, Bywater Capital and Ashmour Developments. The reported sale price was £13.82m.
McCallan Bros. Ltd undertook strip-out works to the upper floors during summer 2015.
Bywater Properties Investment Management LLP and GM Design Associates submitted a planning application (LA04/2016/1762/F) in August 2016 proposing to extend and refurbish the existing building. The proposed scheme comprises 37,000ft2 of retail space at ground and first floor and 65,000ft2 of office accommodation on the upper four floors. The scheme also comprises new facades, shop fronts and lobby areas. The application was approved in January 2017.
Boots signed a 10 year lease during summer 2019 to remain at the ground and first floor of the building.
Donegall (Jersey) Ltd and GM Design Associates submitted a planning application (LA04/2020/0421/F) in January 2020 proposing to create additional commercial floor space (4th floor internal courtyard infill) and part change of use from B1 (office) to sui-generis (food/drink). The proposal also includes maintenance and refurbishment of building facades.
Bywater and Ashmour propose to refurbish the building to provide up to 29,000ft2 of office accommodation at first to fourth floor, a 66ft2 coffee kiosk at Donegall Place and a 1,300ft2 retail unit at Fountain Street. The official project website provides more information: www.35dpbelfast.com.
McCusker Demolition and Graham Construction commenced work to refurbish the upper floors during late November 2020.
