Belfast City Council has launched a public consultation for Belfast Stories, and shared concept designs of the £100 million visitor attraction.
Belfast Stories is expected to open by 2030 at the former Bank of Ireland building and the surrounding 5,000 square metre site.
The multi-purpose destination will serve as a visitor attraction and creative hub. It aims to attract more than 700,000 visitors per year, with up to 1,200 jobs supported during the construction and opening phases.
The latest public consultation, which follows an initial period of engagement in 2022, will run for 14 weeks until 23 February 2025. Attendees will find out more about the plans for Belfast Stories and explore the concept designs.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Micky Murray said Belfast Stories “is a project that our city has been crying out for and it’s being made possible thanks to Belfast region city deal investment”.
He added: “It has the potential to revitalise the area and genuinely enhance a sense of connection and belonging for the people of Belfast, who are central to its delivery. Belfast people will be sharing stories with each other and with visitors from around the world.”
As the name suggests, Belfast Stories is about sharing the stories of people who have lived in and visited Belfast. These will be told in different ways, through interactive experiences, audiovisual (AV) elements, and more.
Eimear Henry, creative and strategic lead at Belfast Stories, said: “This story gathering element is a work in progress that is being influenced and shaped by our ongoing engagement. The gathering of these stories, or the ‘story engine’ as we call it, is the project’s cornerstone, and our work here has already started.
“The concept is driven by the belief that by telling these authentic stories of the people of Belfast we will tell the story of the city – in the richest possible detail. These stories will show the world how much we value our city and our people.”
The design team supporting Belfast Stories includes a partnership between Oslo-based architects Snøhetta and Belfast-based TODD Architects.
Belfast Stories due to open in 2030
Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), a multidisciplinary firm specialising in the planning and design of museums, exhibits, educational environments and visitor attractions, is designing the visitor experience with Barker Langham in the role of curator and interpretation planner.
John Blanchard, principal and director of Ralph Appelbaum Associates, said: “Belfast Stories has the potential to revitalise the city centre and enhance the local economy through tourism-led regeneration and support for the creative economy.
“It will also be a public space for the people of Belfast, who are central to its delivery. Our role as interpretive designers is to listen to and share the stories of the people of Belfast in a way that tells the unique story of this place.
“The lifeblood of this project are the stories of the people of this city – and by interpreting these, we will be sharing the story of Belfast both locally and with visitors from around the world.
“It’s a fantastic, complex and invigorating project that is unique in so many ways – much like the city of Belfast.”
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