Tag: Europa

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Contrasting Eras

Ewart Building, Bedford Street

Ewart’s Mill or the Ewart Building, once a Victorian linen warehouse in Bedford Street, has been redeveloped at a cost of £85m. Now a modern office building it is connected, at the first and second floors, to a new 17-story office complex. I take it this is the modern looking building behind.

The building to the right is the luxury Grand Central Hotel, formerly Windsor House. It was originally an office block and at one time the tallest building in the city.

The Europa Hotel can just be seen in the gap between the buildings. It opened in 1971.

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If you build it….

Grand Central Hotel, Belfast

 

…they will come.

Grand Central Hotel, Belfast
Grand Central Hotel, Belfast

This building stands in Bedford Street, Belfast. It was originally an office block called Windsor House and at one time was the tallest building in Belfast. In 2015 it was acquired by the Hastings Hotel Group and It will be opening soon as The Grand Central Hotel.

In recent years the hotel business has been booming. A quick search on Google reveals that in March 2017 (the latest figures I could find) there were 27 either under construction, have received planning permission or have applied for planning permission.

The city has been named the top place to visit in 2018 and one of the safest cities in the UK. Tourism has kicked off over the last few years and it is difficult, even on a cold January,  to walk any distance without hearing accents from mainland Europe and much farther afield.

 

Grand Central Hotel, Belfast
Grand Central Hotel, Belfast

Also owned by the Hastings Hotels Group, The Europa is the most well known hotel in Belfast. At one time it was famous as the “most bombed hotel in Europe” or the “most bombed hotel in the world”. Things are much quieter now.