Ormeau 1
Belfast scenes
Linking two of Belfast’s oldest streets, the Grade B1 listed North Street Arcade (built in 1936 to designs by Cowser & Smith Architects) has found itself in the firing line in recent years as it lies, with a number of other historic buildings, on the proposed site of a major shopping mall development.
The arcade has quirky Modernistic elevations to both North Street and Donegall Street. It is a bright double height space containing graceful brass shop fronts and a terrazzo pavement. The arcade makes a right-angled turn to link both streets and the bend along its course is marked with a shallow top-lit dome. It is the only example of a 1930s shopping arcade in Northern Ireland and is one of only a handful left in the whole of the UK.
The North Street Arcade is situated in the Cathedral Conservation Area which has for a few years been nurturing an arts and culture scene. The proposed scheme would be disastrous for the historic city centre as North Street and Donegall Street would be turned into little more than service entrances for the giant mall and its multi-storey car park. Local opposition to the proposals has thus been vocal with the ‘Let’s Get it Right’ campaign trying to positively influence the form and design of the mall scheme, and tailor it to the area’s special character. Belfast City Council has been raising awareness of the Cathedral Quarter and commissioned the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS) to compile a visitor’s guide to the area’s historic buildings.
Unfortunately the arcade, which had flourished with arts, community and youth related occupants in recent years, was seriously damaged following an arson attack.
Belfast scenes
Linking two of Belfast’s oldest streets, the Grade B1 listed North Street Arcade (built in 1936 to designs by Cowser & Smith Architects) has found itself in the firing line in recent years as it lies, with a number of other historic buildings, on the proposed site of a major shopping mall development.
The arcade has quirky Modernistic elevations to both North Street and Donegall Street. It is a bright double height space containing graceful brass shop fronts and a terrazzo pavement. The arcade makes a right-angled turn to link both streets and the bend along its course is marked with a shallow top-lit dome. It is the only example of a 1930s shopping arcade in Northern Ireland and is one of only a handful left in the whole of the UK.
The North Street Arcade is situated in the Cathedral Conservation Area which has for a few years been nurturing an arts and culture scene. The proposed scheme would be disastrous for the historic city centre as North Street and Donegall Street would be turned into little more than service entrances for the giant mall and its multi-storey car park. Local opposition to the proposals has thus been vocal with the ‘Let’s Get it Right’ campaign trying to positively influence the form and design of the mall scheme, and tailor it to the area’s special character. Belfast City Council has been raising awareness of the Cathedral Quarter and commissioned the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS) to compile a visitor’s guide to the area’s historic buildings.
Unfortunately the arcade, which had flourished with arts, community and youth related occupants in recent years, was seriously damaged following an arson attack.