Rooftop running track part of £75m revamp of former Belfast newspaper office

The £75 million regeneration of the former Belfast Telegraph building will include the city’s first rooftop running track.Plans have now been submitted to transform the iconic listed building into a commercial, retail and leisure complex capable of delivering 2,000 high-end jobs.Subject to planning approval it is hoped that work on The Sixth could begin on site later this year.The proposals include the restoration and refurbishment of the 1886 ‘Seaver building’ – the former headquarters of the daily newspaper and the development of the remainder of the site into a contemporary, mixed use new build scheme.A total of 230,000 sq ft of workspace is proposed across seven floors, with a public atrium and walkway on the ground floor, alongside retail and food and beverage uses.The pioneering office development also features Belfast’s first roof top running track, as well as roof top terraces and break out spaces.Stephen Surphlis of Bel Tel LLP said a focus on user wellness and wellbeing is at the core of the building’s design.Award-winning London-based architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) are engaged on the design and founding director, Paul Monaghan described The Sixth as a “bold project” focused on preserving the building’s rich history .Deputy chair of Belfast City Council’s city growth and regeneration committee, Aileen Graham said the new development will “breathe new life into one one of Belfast’s most loved and iconic buildings”.The Sixth’s project name was inspired by “Sixth Late Tele”, the call of the newspaper’s street vendors when selling the evening edition.