Aine Kearney, Director of Business Support and Events with Tourism NI, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Arder Carson, and Councillor Declan Boyle, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, take in the stunning riverside views during a visit to the new look Belfast Waterfront. The venue – currently undergoing a £29.5 million extension – will double in size by May 2016 to attract more international conferences to Belfast and bring in a £100 million windfall for the city over the next five years. 

The new look Belfast Waterfront marked a major milestone recently, as the final fixtures were put in place on its £29.5 million extension.

A ‘topping out’ ceremony was held inside the remodeled venue, with representatives from Belfast City Council and Tourism Northern Ireland - who, along with the European Regional Development Fund, are funding the expansion - on hand to put the finishing touches to the outer shell.

They joined building contractors McLaughlin and Harvey and architects Todd to take in stunning views of the Lagan from one of two new riverside terraces, and agreed that the purpose-built centre delivered the ‘wow’ factor needed to attract larger, international conferences to Belfast.

“I’m blown away by what we’ve been shown today and firmly believe that business delegates travelling to Belfast will feel the same, once they step inside this outstanding space,” said the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Arder Carson. “Like the original Waterfront, there’s a real buzz that something special is being created with our investment - not just for the venue, but for the wider city too. With just 200 days to go now until the doors open for business, I’m genuinely excited to return and see the finished product in May next year.”

Construction is currently on schedule and will now turn towards the interior spaces, ahead of fit out and upgrade works in the existing building.

Two interconnecting halls, three additional meeting rooms and a new reception area will integrate with the existing Auditorium and Studio spaces to create the city’s largest conference and exhibition facility, catering for up to 5,000 guests across 7,000m2 of flexible space.

“Now that the exterior structure and cladding are fully in place, it’s clear this is a modern, 21st century venue which not only turns the page on a new chapter for Belfast Waterfront and the surrounding area, but also reflects the dynamic, vibrant and forward thinking city Belfast has become,” said Councillor Declan Boyle, Chair of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

“The bigger building delivers the floor space needed to compete with other cities for bookings, while the flexible layout takes on board vital feedback from organisers on what’s needed to encourage them to choose Belfast for their event. A new riverside entrance reaffirms the link to the Lagan, and reinforces the Waterfront’s position as both a physical and economic anchor within our city centre.”
 
“The expansion of Belfast Waterfront is the most significant and exciting project for tourism in our capital since the opening of Titanic Belfast in 2012, and will build on our efforts to make Belfast a world-class destination of choice for the business tourism market around the globe,” said Terence Brannigan, Chairman of Tourism NI.”