Ireland Property Matthew Ord

Plans to demolish two derelict Belfast bars and build a 19-storey tower in their place have been submitted. The property would comprise more than 110 apartments, two restaurants and a gym.

The proposals, drawn up by Michael Burroughs Associates, concern a site at 54 Pilot Street and 19-22 Princes Dock Street which comprises two bars; Pats Bar and the Rotterdam Bar.

Neither is listed and both have been vacant for a number of years. A design and access statement submitted with the proposals said the bars "are beginning to fall into disrepair".

The main street frontage of Pat's Bar is located on Prince's Dock Street with the bar occupying two former separate buildings.

Both pubs have been extended and modified to adapt to the changing nature of the area over the years. However, they are now "dwarfed" by the 14-storey adjacent James Clow building and have become "inconsistent and incompatible" with the character of the area.



The Rotterdam Bar in Belfast

The applicant said their redevelopment "should be encouraged".

The application is to demolish the two pubs and build a 19-storey tower in their place. This would comprise 112 apartments made up of 60 three-beds, 30 one-beds and 76 two-beds.

The property would also include two restaurants on the first floor, a resident's gym on the second, a roof garden and 112 car parking spaces.

"The proposal seeks to replace two vacant, deteriorating buildings that have a poor relationship with Barrow Square with a modern, attractive building that boasts a significantly improved relationship with the square," said Michael Burroughs Associayes.

"The existing two-storey buildings are also grossly out of scale with the adjoining 14-storey James Clow building. The proposal is more consistent with the surrounding context."

The company also said the scheme would "bring significant environmental and social benefits" to the area.

Image credit: Taken from plans drawn up by Michael Burroughs Associates