A number of exciting developments are set to get underway or continue in and around Belfast throughout 2023.
From accommodation, to sports arenas, and leisure sites, it's an exciting time for development in the city, and this year is set to see many flourish.
Some of these developments gained planning permission in 2022, with works continuing this year, while others have been in the pipeline for much longer.
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Here are nine developments across the city to keep an eye out for in 2023 as they get underway.
Casement Park
There have been delays in delivering a new state-of-the-art GAA stadium at Casement Park, but work could start on the project in 2023.
Ulster GAA CEO Brian McAvoy stressed in his annual report that the GAA are continuing to work with the Department for Communities in order to ensure that funding is in place to allow work to start on the project this year.
The association remains optimistic that the new 34,500-capacity stadium could be fit to host games as early as 2025. Casement has also been included as one of 14 stadiums in the bid dossier to host Euro 2028.
Belfast Grand Central Station
The Grand Central Station, which is set to be completed by 2024, will be located on an eight-hectare site beside the current Europa Bus centre and Great Victoria Street stations.
The multi-million investment by the Department for Infrastructure will be at the heart of a new neighbourhood called Weaver Cross.
Translink said it will be “the main transport gateway to Belfast, creating a sense of arrival in a modern, progressive city, with rail, bus and coach connections to all parts of Northern Ireland and beyond.”
Moxy Hotel, Belfast
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.
Planning permission was granted with works starting at the end of 2022, with the project set to be completed in 2023 or early 2024.
Titanic Quarter homes
In April 2022, a planning application for the building of 778 homes in Belfast's Titanic Quarter was granted.
The properties will be a combination of one, two, and three bedroom homes as well as studio apartments. Construction is set to be completed by 2025.
Plans were submitted jointly by Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones PLC and their plans also include a public promenade and park.
Belfast Harbour Chief Executive Joe O'Neill welcomed the news, saying: "We are delighted the council's decision to grant planning permission to build this new residential development, delivering on the potential of this iconic waterfront location."
Templemore Baths
Templemore Baths in East Belfast are set to open in January with the original refurbished building to reopen later in the Spring.
The project aims to preserve and enhance the Victorian building’s historic features, while providing modern leisure and spa facilities in a newly built extension.
The leisure facilities will include a 25m six-lane swimming pool with spectator gallery, an 80-station gym, spa facilities and changing rooms. This part of the centre will open in January 2023.
The original building will reopen in spring 2023. Within it, there will be an interactive visitor exhibition connecting people to the social history of the building and the area.
One Grosvenor Gate
In June 2022, planning permission was granted for a new 14 storey office development at the Westlink and Grosernor Road junction.
One Grosvenor Gate will consist of 226,800 sq ft of "grade A" office space that could eventually house up to 2,500 workers on the site.
The office building will replace a two storey redbrick building used by a plumbing and heating supplies company. It's not confirmed when the office development will be completed.
Castle Buildings apartments
In April 2022, Belfast City Council approved a planning application for an Edwardian listed building in the heart of Belfast city centre to be turned into apartments.
A former retail centre on the first floor of Castle Buildings on 10 to 16 Castle Place will be converted into three one bedroom apartments. The application, by Alterity Investments of Belfast, will also involve a new shop front to the ground floor, which will be kept for retail.
Castle Buildings is seen as one of Belfast’s finest examples of art nouveau architecture, with its highly ornamented green and cream facade.
It was built in 1905 for C. McCullagh and Co, silk mercers and milliners, on the site of the original Belfast Castle, from which the first community in the area grew in the 13th century.
Belfast Gasworks development
In June 2022, a planning application for a vacant site at Belfast's Gasworks was approved - paving the way for new social housing, office and community space and a hotel extension.
The plan’s residential and community aspects have been welcomed by a group campaigning for the adjacent Market community, who say it marks a victory for their 'Homes Now!' campaign.
Upper Knockbreda Road
Work on a new pedestrian and cyclist road safety improvement scheme is beginning early in 2023.
The £900,000 project will begin on Monday, January 9, on the A55 Knockbreda Road at the junction with Cregagh Road in East Belfast.
It will include the realignment, widening and resurfacing of the carriageway with improved provision for cyclists and pedestrians to include the upgrade of the existing traffic signals and the addition of toucan crossings on the main legs of the junction.
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