The Ewart Bedford Square, Belfast
Project Description
The new space will provide exemplar grade A office accommodation, in arguably the best location in Belfast City Centre. In an open plan workplace environment, when fully occupied, the two buildings will have capacity to accommodate some 2,000+ employees.
The listed Ewart building is the only remaining part of the former Ewart’s linen manufacturing complex, dating from the late 1800’s. The Grade B+ listed building has remained vacant for a number of years, and the redevelopment proposals comprise a major restructuring, alteration, refurbishment and extension of the property to re-establish it as a leading office address in the city.
The Site
The proposed design respects the original structure, but also acknowledges the new context of the building, sitting as one of two standalone structures linked at first and second floor, grouped around a central courtyard.
The new 17 storey building directly abuts the exposed party wall of the adjoining Invest Northern Ireland Headquarters and is separated from the refurbished Ewart building by an open walkway on first and second floors, maintaining the permeability for pedestrians into and through the public square, proposed within the original site masterplan.
