Ulster Bank has announced over £7 million (€8.28 million) in support for one of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality and property development companies, as it makes its largest investment in its hotel portfolio outside of Belfast.
The new 83-bedroom Marcus Hotel Portrush is being developed as part of an £11 million (€13 million) investment by Andras House, Belfast’s largest hotel operator, and it will be operated under franchise from Hilton, under the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand.
‘Important Economic Driver’
“Andras House has been a cornerstone of the hospitality sector in Belfast for decades and has contributed significantly to the advancement of the city’s tourism offering,” said Richard Lusty, relationship director at Ulster Bank.
“Its latest investment is the culmination of over 40 years of industry expertise applied to the scenic North Coast, which will serve as an important economic driver for the area, creating new jobs and further strengthening its domestic and international appeal.”
The Open
Andras House was founded in Belfast in 1981 and today operates seven internationally branded hotels, with over 1,000 beds across the Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre, Holiday Inn Express, three Ibis hotels, the Crowne Plaza, the Hampton by Hilton Hotel on the city’s Hope Street, and Cordia Serviced Apartments.
Its investment in Portrush – which will be the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel on the island of Ireland – represents the hotelier’s largest investment outside of Belfast.
Construction on the new hotel is continuing at pace and is expected to be completed in 2025, in time for the Open, which returns to Royal Portrush next year.
‘Important Milestone’
“This is a strategically important investment for Andras House and a continuation of our thriving relationship with Ulster Bank,” said Rajesh Rana, director at Andras House.
“It’s a reflection of the successes of our developments in Belfast, and it represents an important milestone for the future of the company, too.”
