City Quays Gardens is a phased public realm project proposed by Belfast Harbour. Phase 1 includes land east of the Harbour Office and west of City Quays 3. An existing surface car park will be relocated to the City Quays MSCP and a new ‘maritime urban park’ will be developed to ‘create a new destination greenspace’. Phase 1 represents a £3m investment across 2 acres.

Belfast Harbour launched an international design competition in 2019 seeking ‘world class proposals’ for City Quays Gardens. Gillespies LLP were appointed to develop their initial concept proposals alongside a larger multi-disciplinary team.

Belfast Harbour submitted a planning application (LA04/2022/0262/F) for the first phase of City Quays Gardens in December 2021. The application proposes a “public realm improvement scheme to create formal gardens area including erection of ‘gateway nest’ and ‘swinging seat’ features and seating; artwork trail; lawn areas; shared pedestrian and access routes; public plazas; promenade along Clarendon Dock; improvements to and widening of footpaths at Corporation Square; extensions of taxi bays, relocation of Belfast Bike and bicycle shelters and stands, realignment of the road; and relocation of listed railings fronting Corporation Square”.