Long-awaited £400m plan for Sirocco Quays regeneration

Sirocco Quays is a regeneration plan covering 16 acres of riverside property once home to the Sirocco Works and a centre for buseinss activity for hundreds of years.

The site was caught in the centre of the property crash of the late 2000s but is now set to become one of the largest mixed use redevelopments in the city, with potential to create 5,300 jobs, and transforming the current wasteland into a modern, social, place to work and live.

The proposed regeneration planned by Swinford (Sirocco) Ltd includes 69,000 square metres of contemporary office space; 815 new homes; alongside vibrant new leisure services including a hotel, restaurants, cafes and local retail space.

The addition of a landmark pedestrian footbridge will create a dramatic new access from the Waterfront Hall, contributing to high quality public spaces that will connect to a 270m long river frontage.

“Sirocco Quays will establish new benchmarks for quality across the office and residential space, and bring the first truly international branded hotel to Belfast,” said director Philip Silk.

“We are creating new construction jobs, and will build modern workspace for approximately 11.5% of the 46,000 new jobs Belfast City Council is seeking to create by 2035.

“We are part of Belfast Agenda and want to contribute to the life, economy and community of the city.”

Designed by international architects Broadway Malyan the scheme is estimated to be completed by 2035.

“Our plans for 815 new homes are the largest residential development in the city centre.

“It will include a mix of private, rental, social and affordable accommodation. The new neighbourhood at Sirocco will deliver high-quality riverside living for a population of 1,600 residents, and boast new amenities including bars, restaurants and retail, all in an inspiring and exciting new environment.

Mr Silk said the project acknowledged the unmatched opportunity to extend and complement the traditional centre of Belfast, and bring the opposite bank of the River Lagan back into the life of the city.

“This is a site of significant importance to the continuing regeneration of both the city centre and East Belfast, and to the continued growth of Northern Ireland’s economy,” he said.

Swinford Ltd will now undertake a minimum 12 weeks of pre-application community consultation, including three public exhibitions, before submitting a planning application to Belfast City Council.

The former industrial site, now derelict brownfield, was purchased by Swinford in August 2016 with completion in January this year.

It was once the site of the world’s largest rope works, set up by Samuel Davidson in 1881.