GRAHAM Investment Projects (GIP) and the Mooney Hotel Group are working in partnership to deliver “game-changing” campus living for students at the heart of the Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) quarter.
The plans will see the transformation of the former Wellington Park Hotel site into a purpose-built, professionally managed student accommodation development of circa 561 homes.
The South Belfast scheme will also feature internal and external amenity areas and substantial courtyard gardens for student residents who will live just a short walk from the location of their classes and lectures.
The Botanic Inn, a long established Belfast institution, will continue to exist as part of the wider redevelopment. While the proposals remain conceptual at this stage, “the Bot” is set to be re imagined and modernised with vibrant amenity and recreation space to reflect changing social habits.
Much of Belfast’s existing purpose built student accommodation is concentrated in the city centre, almost a mile and a half from Queen’s University main hub of activity. This proposed redevelopment provides an unparalleled level of convenience for QUB students, positioned directly within the heart of the campus.
Commenting on the plans, GRAHAM Investment Projects Managing Director, John McDonald, said:
“This site is the perfect location for students of Queen’s University. Our plans will provide game-changing campus living, allowing them to enjoy convenience, comfort and security that will enhance their overall student experience.
“This will be further strengthened through our proposed partnership with Homes for Students, the UK’s largest independent student accommodation provider. The decision to enter the Northern Ireland market for the first time reflects their confidence in both the location and the quality of our proposals. Homes for Students’ involvement is a significant advantage for residents, who will benefit from exceptional on site management and service standards. Importantly, the expectations they place on students have consistently improved student conduct elsewhere. This approach will help to grow positive relationships with neighbouring communities.”
The sustainable and contemporary architectural design has been tailored to respect the character and appearance of the Malone Conservation Area. Meanwhile, the acoustic performance of the plans has been carefully developed to minimise noise impacts for neighbouring properties and the surrounding community.
Demand
Demand for student accommodation in Belfast remains structurally strong, despite ongoing perceptions to the contrary.
The city has one of the highest student to bed ratios in the UK. Universities and sector specialists estimate that up to 6,000 additional student rooms will be required across Belfast by 2030. Even allowing for schemes currently in the planning pipeline, Belfast is forecast to remain materially undersupplied relative to student numbers. Compared with other UK university cities of a similar scale, Belfast remains significantly behind in the provision of student homes.
The development of purpose-built managed student accommodation in this part of South Belfast will also reduce pressure on the local housing supply. Independent estimates suggest that the development could free up to 150 homes, housing 360 new residents as a result.
John McDonald added:
“Primarily the proposed development will offer significant benefits to Queen’s students. But it will also deliver a much wider impact for the local area. It will activate and animate the Malone Road through new ground floor retail offerings, for example. On a more strategic level, Belfast is facing a severe housing shortage. This development has the potential to ease pressure on the private rented sector by freeing up existing homes and enabling new residents to be accommodated in South Belfast.”
Evolution of the site
If the proposals are approved, it will signal the evolution of the landmark South Belfast site. The Wellington Park has been welcoming visitors through its doors since 1955. The next cohort of visitors will now change from tourists to students.
Felix Mooney, representing the Mooney Hotel Group which owns both businesses, recognises the legacy and rich history of the Wellington Park Hotel and “the Bot”. He stressed the changing nature of hospitality in this part of the city as the primary reason to support the redevelopment plans.
Felix Mooney said:
“The Wellington Park Hotel and the Botanic Inn are synonymous with Belfast hospitality. We are immensely proud of what the Wellington Park Hotel has achieved over the past 75 years and are deeply grateful to our employees, customers, partners, and the community for their unwavering support”.
“As a Group, we believe now is the time to commence the evolution of the site. The hospitality sector has changed, with a greater emphasis on visitors to the city centre. However, there is no better location in the city that Wellington Park for Queen’s students in terms of proximity and convenience. And, we are confident that our conceptual plans for the Botanic Inn will not just complement students but will reinvigorate this part of the Malone Road again. We see this as a new chapter for the site and are keen to ensure the local community is part of that evolution.”