Regeneration of Titanic shipyard begins in N. Ireland

Work will begin on the project later this year, and is likely to take up to twenty years to complete, costing up to £1 billion and creating approximately 20,000 new jobs.

Plans for the 185 acre site include 2,000 new homes, a Titanic tourism project, a major educational institution and new waterfront promenade. Plans for the first phase apartments and a hotel in a marina setting on Abercorn Basin as well as a major new office development were revealed earlier this year.

Mike Smith, Chief Executive of Titanic Quarter Ltd, hosted the unveiling in the offices where the Titanic was designed.

“Titanic Quarter will become a major symbol of the economic regeneration of Belfast and Northern Ireland. At 185 acres and with a mile of water frontage, this development will bring new life to a part of the city that is rich in both history and potential,” he said.

The project has been designed by architect Eric Kuhne, whose practice has master planned and designed major waterfront regeneration projects around the world.

Addressing the crowd at the plans unveiling, Mr Kuhne said: “During the latter stages of the industrial revolution, Belfast attracted some of the best engineers, designers and artisans anywhere in the world. The new Titanic Quarter will be a major building block in creating the new economy jobs in information technology and services.”

He added that the development would be designed to “build a community centred on genuine social interaction and shared values”.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Wallace Brown said: “The history of Queen’s island is a vital part of Belfast’s industrial heritage and Belfast city council is extremely interested in and excited about the future development of Titanic Quarter. We are happy to cooperate and work with all of the interested parties to ensure that this site becomes a genuine land mark in the regeneration of our City.”

By David Hopkins