One of of Northern Ireland's tallest buildings will be transformed in the next three years to a brand new four-star hotel.
Windsor House (pictured) on Bedford Street in Belfast will be redeveloped into a new £30 million hotel by Northern Irish hotel group Hastings Hotels. The new hotel will be called the Belfast Grand Central Hotel.
The redevelopment of the 23-storey building will be completed in 2018, according to the Belfast Telegraph. Some 150 jobs will be created by the new Hastings Hotels addition - its seventh hotel located in Ulster.
"The hotel will operate at the upper end of the four-star market offering 200 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar, 18 serviced apartments and a range of superbly appointed office accommodation," said Sir William Hastings, owner of the group.
Windsor House, once Ireland's tallest building, is an iconic feature in the Belfast skyline. Home to the Parades Commission, it it is easily recognisable due to its distinctive green elevator shaft. It was also a target for an IRA bombing in 1992, when it was badly damaged.
The look of the building is set to be significantly altered, according to computer impressions released by Hastings that show what the sight will look like once completed.
Hastings Hotels paid £6.5 million for the site in May, £1.5 million over the asking price. It added to its portfolio of seven four- and five-star hotels including the nearby Europa Hotel and the five-star Culloden Estate and Spa.
