King’s Hall proposal to restore interior not seen for decades

A proposal to redevelop the listed King’s Hall building in Belfast will restore an interior not seen for almost 40 years. The plans have been recommended for approval ahead of a meeting today (13 November).The application for the first phase of the £100m Kings Hall Health and Wellbeing Park, which is being brought forward by the Benmore and Octopus Healthcare partnership, has been recommended for approval by Belfast City Council at today’s planning committee.According to the developer, not only will the iconic building’s exterior be revitalised but the new interior, which will provide health centre accommodation for new GPs, diagnostic services and other primary care professionals, will return the buildings original Art Deco roofline and windows.This will mean the interior is filled with natural light that has not seen within the building for almost two generations.Plans were approved last year for a portion of the site to be developed as an assisted living scheme by Abbeyfield. A masterplan for the remainder of the 16-acre site will be submitted shortly and proposes a care home facility, independent living apartments, as well as a hotel and a gym facility accessible to local residents.The first phase of the Kings Hall Health and Wellbeing Park could create more than 500 jobs. If approved, it is hoped that the facility will open in early 2021.The King’s Hall, one of Belfast’s most famous landmarks, has been vacant since the relocation of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society in 2013.Well known for its Art Deco buildings it first opened its doors in 1934 as a permanent exhibition hall for the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society since then the King’s Hall has played host for a range of events from concerts, to sporting occasions and exhibitions.