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Marquis Street, BELFAST, BT1 1JJ

Many commercial buildings in the centre of Belfast (ie BT1 and 2) do not display their street numbers. This can make it difficult to identify particular premises in planning applications. 75-81 seems to be this block between Marquis Street (at the red shutter door) and King Street (at the bright green building – lower left). The following planning permission was given recently “Z/2007/1030/O 75-81 Castle Street, Town Parks, Belfast, BT01 6GJ approval outline Demolition of building. Erection of 7 storey mixed development of retail, office and residential. (Amended Plans)”. If I have got the numbering and premises wrong please let me know.

Marquis Street in Belfast. The old red brick building - for sale - is the rear of the former Central Electricity Station which first generated power for the lights in the city on the 24th January 1885 (see https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=771239895038020&set=pb.100064560497289.-2207520000&type=3 ). It is currently used as a car park.

One vacant building and a vacant site at the corner of Marquis Street and Castle Street. The most recent application is for planning permission for “Demolition of existing buildings on site and removal of all trace of existing buildings”. Two previous applications related to “Retail/Office Building 7-storey retail and office building” and “Demolition of existing buildings and construction of a 4 storey commercial building with rear access for fire escape, 1no. retail unit on the ground floor and 3 no. office units above.”

I was prompted to take a walk into this less cared for part of the city centre when it was announced on BBC Radio Ulster that a 26-storey hotel is planned for Castle Street (which Marquis Street runs north from). If the plan proceeds, this scene of dilapidation could become a thing of the past. The building in the distance is the Castle Court shopping centre, opened in 1989.

"Belfast Kitty Hall" by Leo Boyd https://www.instagram.com/leoboydprints/ at Castle Street in Belfast. See Image for a wider view.

A block of shops on the southern side of Castle Street between College Court (blue gable) and King Street (this side of the hotel).

"Belfast Kitty Hall" by Leo Boyd https://www.instagram.com/leoboydprints/ at Castle Street in Belfast. See Image for a closer look.

Anti-vaccine graffiti at Castle Street in Belfast.

"Today's plan is already yesterday's - the streets that were there are gone". The wide variety of changes between the map on the hoarding to today's street plan is a testament to this message. Developments such as Castle Court and the widening of Millfield - not to mention the security dimension throughout the Troubles - have transformed the Smithfield Ward into a shadow of it former self.

"Through our industry we can mend a city" on Marquis Street in Belfast.