Construction Work In Belfast At Highest Level In Almost Ten Years

Construction work in Belfast is at its highest level in almost a decade, according to a new report.

A total of 11 new development schemes were completed in the city last year, including two hotels.

A further six hotels are also currently under construction.

A total of 30 schemes are under construction or just recently completed in the city, including the eight hotels, four new educational facilities, seven new student accommodation projects and six office developments, according to the first Belfast Crane Survey report produced by Deloitte Real Estate.

Ulster University's move to a larger campus in Belfast has seen a number of student housing schemes already being built.

The report calculates that almost 2,500 student accommodation bed-spaces across seven major projects are currently being built in the city centre area.

This is in addition to 413 bed-spaces that completed in 2016.

Queen's University is also continuing its investment in new teaching facilities and supporting new student residential development in the city centre.

Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council, said: "The report demonstrates that private sector developers and investors see the opportunities being created by a growth in tourism, new companies locating here, growth in our own business base and more people, including students, wanting to live in the city centre."

(CD)