Academy St consultation
A new residential proposal for Belfast.
As part of our consultation on proposals for a new residential neighbourhood between North Street and Donegall Street, we’re holding a focused consultation to discuss plans for Academy Street.
We are proposing a 15-storey building on Academy Street which would offer around 150 co-living homes, with ground floor commercial. This is Belfast’s first co-living opportunity and our plans for Academy Street form a key part of the proposed new North Street / Donegall Street residential community in the heart of Belfast.
Our wider vision for the North Street / Donegall Street proposal will create a new neighbourhood in the birthplace of the city, while respecting the history and character that makes this part of the city special. Whilst our consultation for the North Street / Donegall Street overall proposal remains open until 25 September, we now look forward to hearing from you and using your feedback to shape the plans for Academy Street.
Please ensure your feedback reaches us by 5pm, 25 September 2026.
- Hotel (approx. 150-rooms), 5 storeys
- Food and beverage
- Homes for sale (approx. 60), up to 7 storeys with commercial and office at ground floor and levels 1-2
- Homes for sale (approx. 217), up to 14 storeys with ground floor commercial
- Social and affordable homes (approx. 60), up to 6 storeys with ground floor commercial
- Hotel (approx. 230-rooms) between 6-13 storeys; homes for sale (approx. 60) between 6-9 storeys; social and affordable homes (approx. 60) up to 5 storeys
- Homes for rent (approx. 275) up to 17 storeys, with amenity spaces and ground floor commercial
Previous planning permission
Planning permission was previously granted for the site on Academy Street (formally 81-87 Academy Street & 2-6 Exchange Street) for the erection of a 16 storey residential building with ground floor commercial.
The existing planning permission establishes a baseline for the scale, massing and design of development considered acceptable on the site, and which has informed our current proposals.
The details of this previous approval are as follows:
Planning reference:
LA04/2019/2257/F
Proposal:
Erection of 16 storey residential building comprising 105 units (60 x one bed and 45 x two bed), ancillary ground floor uses including management suite, cafe, servicing (refuse/recycling/cycle storage/general storage), roof terrace, plant room, substation and associated public realm works.
(Amendment to planning permission reference (LA04/2017/2811/F).
Decision:
Granted 24 Nov 2021
Our proposals
A new chapter for Academy Street – creating a vibrant, creative community at the heart of Belfast’s cultural quarter. A place to live, work, connect and belong.
The proposed development presents an exciting opportunity to create a distinctive new co-living destination on Academy Street, Belfast, occupying an exceptional site close to the Cathedral Quarter and immediately beside The MAC.
The building has been carefully conceived to respond to the unique artistic and cultural identity of its surroundings, while respecting the established character and context of the area.
The scheme will provide approximately 150 high-quality co-living homes, supported by a vibrant mix of shared amenity spaces designed to encourage community, wellbeing and interaction. These include a café, co-working facilities, wellness spaces, cinemas and shared kitchens, creating a diverse and welcoming environment for residents.
Together, the architecture, landscape and amenity offer, have the potential to transform this prominent site into a contemporary, creative and sustainable addition to the city centre.
- 150 Co-living homes
- Cafe
- Co-working spaces
- Gym facilities
- Wellness spaces
- Cinema
- Shared kitchen
- Roof terrace
What is co-living?
Co-living is a modern form of residential accommodation that provides residents with their own private living space alongside shared living facilities such as lounges, communal kitchen/dining area, workspaces and generous social areas including gyms, cinema rooms and wellness studios to encourage a strong sense of community.
Offering attractive leases and integrated facilities, the accommodation is popular with a range of tenants and young professionals, and brings a flexible and accessible accommodation type to Belfast’s property market. Co-living is operated by an established management company and typically monthly rent for residents includes all utility bills and maintenance fees.
This type of residential accommodation has been implemented across various locations in the UK and we are pleased to offer this proposal as the first of its kind in Belfast.
Our wider proposals to revitalise the North Street and Donegall Street areas will create a vibrant new destination where people can live, work, socialise and thrive. This co-living proposal is a key part of the overall scheme, contributing to our vision of a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable city centre that supports a diverse range of people.
Proposed floor plans
Level 00
The ground floor creates an active entrance to the building, with a café and commercial space alongside key residential facilities including post, cycle storage and resident services.
Level 01
The co-working floor provides seven co-living units alongside a generous shared workspace, offering residents a flexible environment to work, meet and connect.
Level 02
The wellness floor combines seven co-living units at the quieter rear with a dedicated wellness zone, including a gym, sauna, steam room and wellness room.
Level 03
The social floor provides seven co-living units alongside shared spaces including a communal kitchen, lounge and cinema, creating spaces for residents to cook, relax and socialise.
Levels 04-15
Each floor provides 11 co-living rooms, arranged to maximise privacy by minimising passing traffic outside room entrances. From the fourth floor, residents also have access to a shared roof terrace.
Proposed elevations
Contextual views
Get in touch
C/o Cavendish, 17-25 College Square East, Belfast BT1 6DH