AN EVOLVING CITY SPACE
Helping Deliver Major Growth
Last week Adam and Grant revisited Belfast’s ever‑evolving skyline where Tenmat passive fire protection solutions are now supporting several high‑profile developments. Our thanks to TODD Architects and Like Architects for hosting our RIBA CPDs and exploring current and future projects, and to GRAHAM Construction for productive discussions on deeper collaboration.
Belfast is undergoing a significant phase of urban transformation. Large‑scale residential, purpose‑built student accommodation (PBSA), and mixed‑use schemes are advancing the Belfast Agenda (2024–2035) – prioritising sustainability, inclusive growth, regeneration, and quality of life.
RESHAPING NORTHERN IRELAND’S CAPITAL
Why Belfast Is One of Our Most Visited Cities
The momentum is clear: new homes, student communities, and adaptive reuse projects are reshaping the city centre, strengthening local economies, and delivering low‑carbon, design‑led neighbourhoods. Tenmat is proud to contribute with passive fire protection solutions that help projects meet safety, compliance, and performance goals.
key development projects
Loft Lines: Titanic Quarter
- Flagship mixed‑tenure waterfront neighbourhood at Queen’s Island
- Major boost to housing‑led regeneration and sustainable urban living
- Supports net‑zero and high‑quality placemaking goals
Weavers’ Hall: Dublin Road (QUB & GRAHAM)
- Belfast’s first Passivhaus‑certified PBSA
- Sets a new sustainability benchmark for student housing
- Supports QUB growth and net‑zero commitments
Dorchester House — Great Victoria Street (Adagio Aparthotel)
Adaptive reuse of a vacant HMRC office into Belfast’s first Adagio‑branded aparthotel
- Strengthens the visitor economy with flexible city‑centre accommodation
- Demonstrates sustainable reuse of commercial assets
Biscuit Factory — Little Donegall Street (Lacuna & GRAHAM)
- Major PBSA beside Ulster University, retaining heritage from the Marsh & Co biscuit factory
- Reinforces the Cathedral Quarter as a student and cultural hub
- Regenerates a historically significant site with a future‑ready role
a new era for belfast
Advancing the Belfast Agenda
Advancing the Belfast Agenda involves strengthening communities through the delivery of mixed‑tenure housing, such as Loft Lines, and by providing high‑quality, wellbeing‑focused student accommodation that supports healthier living standards. This growth in residential and student populations is also having a positive impact on the local economy – boosting retail, hospitality, and employment, while ongoing construction activity continues to drive job creation.
These developments are reshaping the fabric of the city, leading to meaningful regeneration across priority zones. Better transport connectivity, supported by enhanced active‑travel routes, is helping create a more accessible and people‑centred urban environment. Passivhaus‑certified delivery is also setting a strong regional benchmark for building performance and demonstrating how sustainability can be embedded at scale.
A compassionate approach to regeneration runs throughout these projects, with affordable and social homes being integrated directly into central neighbourhoods. This helps create more inclusive communities and plays an important role in reducing long‑standing disparities between different areas of the city.
aligned with construction authorities
What This Means for Tenmat - and What's Next
Belfast’s development pipeline aligns with strategic city goals and a clear shift toward sustainable, design‑led, community‑focused growth. These schemes will:
- Strengthen the city centre as a place to live, study, work, and visit
- Deliver high‑quality, energy‑efficient buildings that support climate objectives
- Enhance economic resilience via job creation and increased footfall
- Create inclusive, connected, vibrant neighbourhoods with long‑term impact
We’re looking forward to returning in early March to review further projects with clients, architects, and contractors, and deliver more CPDs – while continuing to support Belfast’s exciting transformation with Tenmat passive fire protection expertise.
