Belfast’s Custom House set for new lease of life as investor snaps up iconic building

By Q Radio news

One of Belfast’s oldest buildings on the banks of the River Lagan is set for a new lease of life.

Custom House, which dates back to the 1850s, has been acquired by Northern Ireland investor Straidorn Properties for an undisclosed sum.

The Grade B+ listed building, designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, is primarily used as office space.

Straidorn has announced plans to refurbish and modernise the office accommodation after current tenant HMRC moves out of the building in April next year.

The firm emphasised that it intends to preserve and enhance the historic features during renovation work.

The building retains a number of eye-catching features, including the original staircase and decorative carvings, including three figures symbolising Neptune, Mercury and Britannia and others representing Manufacture, Peace, Commerce and Industry.

Neil McKibbin, director of Straidorn Properties, said the firm was delighted to bring one of Belfast’s grandest buildings back into local ownership.

“Custom House is of huge historic and strategic importance to the city and, for our business, this is a long-term investment which demonstrates our confidence not just in the future of Belfast’s office market but in the city itself,” he said.

“We invest in projects we can identify with and where we know we can add value. Despite the current economic climate, Belfast is still a very attractive location for inward investment and we believe it will continue to attract global occupiers who will contribute to the ongoing growth and development of the city.”

Previous projects by Straidorn include the transformation of Flax House on Adelaide Street in the city, a former linen mill, into a fully let, grade-A office space.