The derelict 18th century building, owned at present by Castlebrooke Investments, is being bought over by the council in a drive to promote regeneration in the city centre.
The council’s recent Vacant to Vibrant scheme has seen the acquisition of a number of listed and vacant buildings which were then transformed by various buyers into thriving businesses and community hubs.
The Assembly Rooms is a Grade B1 listed building, meaning that it is a good example of the time period or style.
Vacant since 2000 and dating from 1769, the heritage building is located on the corner of North Street and Waring Street.
The area has been run down and dilapidated as it awaits on Castlebrooke to make any progress with its much heralded ‘Tribeca’ transformation of the area.
However, no work has yet been done on the 2016 plan for a £500m urban regeneration scheme on a 12 acre site located beside St Anne’s Cathedral bounded by Royal Avenue, Donegall Street, Lower Garfield Street and Rosemary Street.
With little public confidence in Castlebrooke’s ability to take the project forward, the Council has stepped in on several occasions.
The Assembly Rooms in Belfast city centre
Alliance councillor Michael Long, who jointly put forward an initial proposal for Belfast City Council to buy the Grade B1 listed Assembly Rooms building in the city centre, welcomed the ratification of the decision to officially put a bid in to purchase the space.
He said: “This has been a long time coming now, and after years spent campaigning to see this done, I’m delighted to see the bid finally going ahead.
“We have a duty to protect, cherish, and maintain our historic cultural institutions. The Assembly Rooms building is a key landmark representing the legacy of Belfast’s past, but now, with restoration to bring it back into public use, it has the opportunity to play its own part in shaping the future of the city and its cultural heritage for generations to come.
“This is incredibly exciting progress that we look forward to following as things develop.”
A Castlebrooke spokesperson said: ‘’We have been working collaboratively with Belfast City Council for some time to advance the regeneration of the North St/ Donegall Street area and we are very glad to see the decision to purchase the Assembly Rooms endorsed by Council this evening.
“We have been frustrated that market conditions have prevented us delivering our previous schemes for this historically important part of the city but we are now preparing new plans in collaboration with the city council which embrace the historic significance of the Assembly rooms.
“We will be consulting widely on these new proposals in the very near future.”
At the Assembly Rooms, plans to establish a slave trading company were thwarted in 1786.
Six years later in 1792, the Belfast Harp Festival was held, it was also where Henry Joy McCracken, a prominent republican and co-founder of the Society of United Irishmen, was sentenced to death in 1798.
Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, councillor Natasha Brennan, branded acquisition of the structure “significant” in council efforts to “breathe new life and vibrancy into the Cathedral Quarter”.
“Along with our work on the nearby Belfast Stories, which will be a visitor attraction, public space and creative hub, integrating the restoration of the unique 1930s Art Deco former Bank of Ireland building when it opens in 2030, we’re investing in parts of our city centre,” said the councillor.
“[This will] have great historic character to ensure that these wonderful heritage assets are given life, purpose and relevance for generations to come.
“We’re continuing to focus on revitalising and enhancing our city centre because it’s the beating heart of Belfast.”
In addition to the renowned 18th century site, the council is also set to purchase Donegall Street carpark, number five to nine North Street, and Braddell’s Building on 11 North Street.
Following engagement with councillors and stakeholders, the council itself will bring future proposals forward to conserve the Assembly Rooms and Braddell’s Building.
Other successful acquisitions of buildings by the council include the former Tesco building on Royal Avenue, another listed building.
It’s purchase by the council lead to it becoming a hub for arts and culture. Work is currently underway for its long-term use, with Peace Plus funding having been confirmed for the creation of a LGBTQ+ hub on the first floor.
Other success stories from the Vacant to Vibrant scheme include the opening of Beau on Warehouse Lane, and ArtsEkta’s new Olive Tree House on Fountain Street.
Almost half of the 49 buildings involved in the Vacant to Vibrant scheme have been renowned heritage buildings.