Kainos could share new Belfast headquarters site with student accommodation development

A new flagship Belfast headquarters for Kainos could sit next door to a large student accommodation building amid fresh plans by the IT service giant, it can be revealed.Kainos had wanted to develop a 250,000 sq ft 12-storey building at the former Movie House cinema cite on the Dublin Road. It has since said it is now planning a smaller scheme of around 110,000 sq ft.But the firm is now planning to divide the site and use the smaller section for its offices while the larger area could be developed into 400-plus room student accommodation, another office building or apartments.The site is currently being used a social enterprise food market, which is due to open to the public this month.Kainos, alongside commercial property firm Lambert Smith Hampton, is seeking a developer to build its office, and also a developer to buy out the remaining larger section for a separate scheme.Todd Architects have prepared indicative concept plans for a potential investor which include a student scheme of between 391 and 409 rooms, or alternatively office accommodation or residential apartments.Last year Brendan Mooney confirmed that the company will soon submit its own planning application for an office complex of around half that size.He said the new development is expected to total around 110,000-115,000 sq ft. “Our expectation is that we don’t need a building of that size on the site,” he said.On the site which will become the Kainos head office it says “the primary objective in providing this development opportunity is for Kainos to achieve a landmark headquarters office building on part of the site, while the remainder portion of the site to be developed out by the preferred developer for an appropriate use or uses.”“This new landmark building represents an exciting opportunity for Kainos to promote a work environment that will incubate new ideas for the business and faster collaboration among the work force,” it says.