2012 proved to be a rather stagnant year for developments, with a few notable exceptions. What are people's predictions for the coming year?
Belfast City Council investment package: there were a lot of interesting projects proposed in this, the most high-profile of which was the Waterfront Hall extension. I hope to see detailed information in the coming months, both of the Waterfront and the investment package in general. Overall it was worth about £250m to the city
University of Ulster: Demolition work to start by the summer, I think. Sadly, the Orpheus building will be flattened to make space for this. Ultimately though, this will be the transformational project needed for this area.
Royal Exchange: Is there a timetable for this work to start?
South Bank Square: Etap Hotel to be completed, Novotel to begin work later this year. This will breathe some life into the Dublin Road/Great Victoria Street area. Expect to see a few new bars and restaurants pop up around here.
Cathedral Quarter: will go from strength to strength after the success of the MAC and St Anne's Square.
Queen's University - their capital builds budget seems to be inexhaustible! Possibly hear more news on the replacement of the old Science Library. I would absolutely love to see the Old Library building brought back to life into public use, perhaps as a museum or gallery.
Corporation tax: The announcement was quietly delayed again. I'm still not sure how this will play out, but it could be a game changer if powers are devolved.
Derry: The City of Culture events will see a big boost for tourism all over NI. It's likely that many of the visitors will pass through Belfast and the North Coast on the way, so these areas will get a tourist boost also.
Odyssey Quays: now has planning permission, so perhaps we will see detailed renders of the hotels at least. I doubt we will see any movement on the office tower or the residential properties this year.
Connswater Greenway: work to restart in coming months.
Titanic Quarter: Is the Nomadic due to open this spring? That'll be a nice addition to the area. There are another three or four hotels planned, I would be surprised if we didn't see one of them being submitted for planning approval.
Belfast City Council investment package: there were a lot of interesting projects proposed in this, the most high-profile of which was the Waterfront Hall extension. I hope to see detailed information in the coming months, both of the Waterfront and the investment package in general. Overall it was worth about £250m to the city
University of Ulster: Demolition work to start by the summer, I think. Sadly, the Orpheus building will be flattened to make space for this. Ultimately though, this will be the transformational project needed for this area.
Royal Exchange: Is there a timetable for this work to start?
South Bank Square: Etap Hotel to be completed, Novotel to begin work later this year. This will breathe some life into the Dublin Road/Great Victoria Street area. Expect to see a few new bars and restaurants pop up around here.
Cathedral Quarter: will go from strength to strength after the success of the MAC and St Anne's Square.
Queen's University - their capital builds budget seems to be inexhaustible! Possibly hear more news on the replacement of the old Science Library. I would absolutely love to see the Old Library building brought back to life into public use, perhaps as a museum or gallery.
Corporation tax: The announcement was quietly delayed again. I'm still not sure how this will play out, but it could be a game changer if powers are devolved.
Derry: The City of Culture events will see a big boost for tourism all over NI. It's likely that many of the visitors will pass through Belfast and the North Coast on the way, so these areas will get a tourist boost also.
Odyssey Quays: now has planning permission, so perhaps we will see detailed renders of the hotels at least. I doubt we will see any movement on the office tower or the residential properties this year.
Connswater Greenway: work to restart in coming months.
Titanic Quarter: Is the Nomadic due to open this spring? That'll be a nice addition to the area. There are another three or four hotels planned, I would be surprised if we didn't see one of them being submitted for planning approval.