Martin Group has unveiled plans to create a boutique hotel in Belfast’s Scottish Mutual Building, after buying it from administrators at Kroll.
The family-run Northern Ireland property developer bought the 1904-built, red-brick, Henry Seaver-designed building for an undisclosed sum and will now invest ” a significant amount” in the restoration, preservation and enhancement of the building’s original features, as well as its transformation into a world-class hotel.
Originally known as the Scottish Temperance Building, the site is on the corner of Donegall Square and Bedford Street in the heart of Belfast. For many years an office building, it was mid-way through redevelopment before its owner, Bedford Hotel Ltd, went into administration in 2020. The building was intended to become “The George Best Hotel”, named after the famous footballer.
Chief executive Paul Martin said: “We are immensely proud to have acquired the Scottish Mutual Building, becoming the custodians of one of the most historically and architecturally important buildings in Belfast. As well as restoring and preserving its wealth of original features, we will be adding a new luxury hotel to the city, in a move which reflects our confidence in Belfast’s ability to attract both business and leisure tourists.”
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