Plans are in place for a "modern and vibrant" hotel to be developed in Belfast city centre.
Situated on Victoria Street and the corner of Waring Street - the spot where the Nambarrie Building currently resides - will become a 169-bedroom hotel with a ground floor bar and restaurant, meeting rooms and fitness centre – and a seventh floor rooftop bar.
The spot in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter will be transformed into a Moxy Hotel, with the brand already having more than 100 luxury hotels around the world.
The introduction of this brand into Northern Ireland represents an investment of around £25million, with the creation of around 30 permanent full and part-time posts.
Original planning permission was granted for the demolition of the buildings and the erection of an apartment development in 2013, however, current proposals for the site include the retention of all buildings, and a four-storey extension to create the hotel.
The existing Nambarrie Building has been on the site at Victoria Street and Waring Street from around 60 years, with developers Pragma Planning wishing to retain the history of the building.
They said their vision is to "create a modern, vibrant hotel that adds to and complements the existing offer in Belfast City Centre."
The proposal went out for public consultation until February 28, 2021, with an application from Waring Street Ltd received on March 30, 2021.
Julie-Anne Corr-Johnston, UUP representative for North Belfast, said she was "very excited by these proposals."
In a tweet, she added: "Made by a North Belfast native who is passionate about preserving our built heritage and investing in both our city and its economy."
In the plans for the proposed site, developers Pragma Planning said: "Our vision is to create a modern vibrant hotel that adds to and complements the existing offer in Belfast City Centre and which creates life and vitality at the junction of Victoria Street and Waring Street.
"The existing building has been on site for around 60 years and whilst there is no historical connection at the site with the tea trade the proposal seeks to draw from the history of the buildings and retain them.
"This represents the introduction of new international brand to the Northern Ireland Market with an investment of approximately £25m and the creation of around 30 permanent full and part time posts.
"Over the past decade the number of overnight trips to Belfast has doubled to 1.5 million annually and associated expenditure and increased by 120%. Belfast City Council has prioritised tourism as a key growth area within its recovery plan and is working with other stakeholders to develop new attractions.
"A Moxy Hotel in Nambarrie Building has substantial potential to align with Belfast City Council’s vision by attracting a major international brand not currently represented in Belfast; to bring life to the junction of Waring Street and Victoria Street and vitality to this section of Victoria Street; to compliment the existing hotel offer in Belfast City Centre; to attract additional footfall to the already vibrant Cathedral Quarter and to rejuvenate this corner site which is a gateway to Cathedral Quarter."
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