MRP has been appointed by Northern Ireland’s public transport provider Translink as its private sector partner for Belfast’s transformational Weavers Cross development, which will include PBSA.
The Weavers Cross development is situated alongside the Belfast Grand Central Station– a NI Executive flagship Project – which is the key catalyst for the scheme.
“We are delighted to partner with MRP on this major regeneration project which will bring significant benefits to Belfast and Northern Ireland. This is the most significant transport led development project in NI and MRP shares our vision for regeneration and placemaking to deliver tangible and lasting positive social, economic and environmental benefits. The international connectivity which the transport hub will bring, along with an imaginative mixed-use development, will create an exciting new city centre neighbourhood that will be a catalyst for economic growth. It will also drive a modal shift to public transport and will play a major role in helping achieve the carbon emission reduction targets set out in the NI Climate Change Act. We look forward to progressing this scheme and thank all those who have taken part in the process for their effort and professionalism.”
Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive, Translink
The development has the potential for 1.3 million sq ft of mixed-use office, life sciences, residential, student housing, hotels and retail/leisure space, presenting a unique opportunity to transform and regenerate a current brownfield site and create efficient links in and out of the city.
With construction of the station underway, Belfast Grand Central Station is set to be Ireland’s largest sustainable transport hub with direct bus, coach and train links throughout Northern Ireland. It is set to open in 2025.
“We are immensely proud to have been appointed as the master-development partner for Weavers Cross, a very significant project for Belfast’s connectivity and economic prosperity.
“Developing the site requires an experienced and creative team that has at its core the strong social value credentials required to deliver on this ambitious project and we are delighted to have been chosen as that team.
“The vision for Weavers Cross is a bold one, marrying world-class urban design that incorporates the very latest sustainable practices to create a new neighbourhood for Belfast that will impact positively on all Northern Ireland.
“We are looking forward to commencing this partnership with Translink and engaging with the community and interested parties to make this development a reality, unlocking the project’s huge potential and helping to regenerate the local area.”
Stephen Surphlis, Managing Director (MD), MRP
Alongside this, the station will create access to connections across all major international airports and Dublin, also making the development an ideal location for national and international students studying and living in the country.
Belfast City Council has already granted outline planning permission to MRP and Translink for Weavers Cross.
“The new surrounding city neighbourhood ‘Weavers Cross’ will bring circa 1.3 million sq ft of mixed-use space to a strategic location in the city. It will be a catalyst for employment and innovation which will deliver on the Department for Economy’s 10X Economy Strategy.”
Joe Kennedy, US Special Envoy for Northern Ireland
When constructed, it is estimated that it will stimulate over £1bn of additional spending in the Northern Ireland economy and offer a wide range of opportunities to both investors and occupiers alike.
The Weavers Cross site has a gross development value of £500m with MRP now officially appointed to lead on delivery of the private sector investment.
