J3374 : New Primark, Belfast - December 2018(2)

taken 5 years ago, near to Belfast, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland

New Primark, Belfast - December 2018(2)
New Primark, Belfast - December 2018(2)
The new Primark opened, in Castle Street, on 8 December 2018. Media reports suggest that the company is also seeking new premises elsewhere in the city centre.
Commonwealth House redevelopment, Belfast

Commonwealth House, Castle Street, formerly occupied by various Government offices, seems to have been built in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s. It has been vacant for some time and is now the subject of the following applications for planning permission: “0527/LBC Lands bound by Royal Avenue , Castle Street , Bank Street and Bank Square including Primark at Bank Buildings and former Commonwealth House at 29-43 Castle Street , Belfast Refurbishment of existing retail premises (Bank Buildings) and extension to include the redevelopment (demolition and new build extension) of adjacent building including all associated site infrastructure works” and “0530/F Lands bound by Royal Avenue , Castle Street , Bank Street and Bank Square including Primark at Bank Buildings and former Commonwealth House at 29-43 Castle Street. Refurbishment of existing retail premises and extension to include the redevelopment (demolition and new build extension) of adjacent building including all associated site infrastructure works”.
The photographs submitted by me appear as a neutral matter of geographical and historical record. They do not express any opinion, for or against, the applications. I have no connection with any of the parties involved in the proposed redevelopment.

Primark (Bank Buildings) fire, Belfast (28 August 2018)

Some photographs taken following a fire at the Primark (former Bank Buildings) shop, Belfast. The building is being extended on the site of Commonwealth House, Castle Street Link

The building is the subject of the following application (5 October 2018) for planning permission “LA04/2018/2393/LBC Conservation led works to Bank Buildings involving the taking down, recording and assessment for restoration purposes of the building above the fourth floor cornice line to the Bank Street, Castle Street and Castle Place elevations of the building for off-site storage |Bank Buildings (bounded by Castle Street Bank Street and Royal Avenue) Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1BL”.
Councillors approve Primark listing building consent application

26 Oct 2018
Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee has this morning approved Primark’s listed building consent application for Bank Buildings.

Approval has now been given for Primark’s proposal to begin conservation-led works to take down the top two floors of Bank Buildings, which appear to be the most unstable parts of the building.

Once these unstable elements are removed, works can take place to install a façade retention scheme.

It will also make it possible to reduce the cordon and restore pedestrian access between Royal Avenue and Donegall Place, subject to health and safety considerations as work takes place.

It is understood that Primark are now ready to commence this work.

We have also agreed a process with Primark which includes a temporary designed walkway, which we hope to be in place within weeks.

Councillor Matt Garrett, chairman of the Council’s Planning Committee, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to give the green light to this application and work can now get underway with the aim of reducing the cordon as soon as possible, and as soon as it is safe to do so.

“The Committee has asked for an undertaking from Primark that it will begin work as soon as practically possible. There is a real urgency for businesses, both inside and outside the cordon, to ensure their economic resilience in the run-up to Christmas and beyond, so it’s vital that Primark moves forward and ensures the required works are completed as soon as possible” - official statement.

“A temporary walkway reconnecting Royal Avenue to Donegall Place will open on Monday 3 December.
Three businesses around the Castle Place junction - McDonald’s, Skechers, Argento will reopen on Monday and Spar will also reopen on Tuesday with reduced hours. Argento is still open in Cornmarket.
Zara, Tesco Metro and British Heart Fountain remain closed while works continue to secure Bank Buildings, and City Picnic (extra market stalls in Donegall Place) and Abacus Beads (Queen's Arcade) will continue to trade from their temporary premises.
A new Primark store will open at Commonwealth House, on Castle Street, next Saturday 8 December.
Look out for new signage and maps across the city centre from next week, showing which businesses have reopened and highlighting those near the remaining cordon areas.
This information is correct as of Friday 30 November, 5.30pm” - Council statement.

There is the following application (12 August 2019) for planning permission “LA04/2019/1903/F Conservation led redevelopment and restoration of Bank Buildings, including reinstatement of previously removed upper floor structures from Bank Street, Royal Avenue and Castle Street façades and reinstatement of 1970s wall on Bank Street, for the erection of a retail store connecting to existing Primark store on Castle Street with ancillary café and associated site works. Bank buildings (bound by Castle Street Bank Street and Royal Avenue) Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1BL”.


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J3374, 3632 images   (more nearby search)
Photographer
Date Taken
Sunday, 9 December, 2018   (more nearby)
Submitted
Monday, 10 December, 2018
Geographical Context
Business, Retail, Services 
Place (from Tags)
Belfast 
Primary Subject of Photo
Shop 
Subject Location
Irish: geotagged! J 336 742 [100m precision]
WGS84: 54:35.9492N 5:55.9288W
Camera Location
Irish: geotagged! J 336 742
View Direction
EAST (about 90 degrees)
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Shop  Primark 

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