I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS AREA IN MAY 2011
The Gasworks in Belfast, once the heart of the city's gas-making industry, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years.
History and State in 2011
Established on land owned by the Marquis of Donegall, the Gasworks opened in 1822, providing gas for street lighting, homes, and businesses. By the end of World War II, its reach extended to around 120,000 people. However, the advent of new technologies in the 1960s led to a decline in demand, culminating in the cessation of gas production in 1985.
By the time I photographed the site in 2011, it had been repurposed as a modern business park. In the early 1990s, the council, along with the central government and the Laganside Corporation, acquired the Gasworks site. Despite initial concerns about contamination, a major refurbishment programme, partly funded by the European Union, successfully transformed the area.
Redevelopment and Success
The redevelopment of the Gasworks has been widely regarded as a success story. Ormeau Business Park (OBP), one of the first developers on the site, celebrated 21 years in the Gasworks in 2021. Throughout its two decades, OBP has maintained high occupancy levels, with its first three tenants still in residence. Today, this prestigious site houses around 23 businesses, employing over 171 people.
Future Plans
Ambitious plans have been put forward for a major redevelopment and housing project at the Gasworks site. The proposal envisions the construction of 94 new homes, along with future commercial, tourist, and community facilities. The development will seek outline planning permission for new office and commercial spaces, including provisions for social enterprises, community infrastructure, and employment facilities. It also includes plans for a hotel extension and multi-storey car parking.
Additionally, full planning permission will be sought for two areas of social housing, to be developed by Radius Housing in a £13m investment. These new homes will comprise 60 two, three, and four-bedroom houses, along with 34 two-bedroom apartments, each with private gardens or balconies, and communal green spaces throughout.
This redevelopment and regeneration proposal is considered a pivotal project for the Gasworks, the surrounding community, and the entire city. A local community and housing campaigner has even described the plans as a "game changer for the Market."
History and State in 2011
Established on land owned by the Marquis of Donegall, the Gasworks opened in 1822, providing gas for street lighting, homes, and businesses. By the end of World War II, its reach extended to around 120,000 people. However, the advent of new technologies in the 1960s led to a decline in demand, culminating in the cessation of gas production in 1985.
By the time I photographed the site in 2011, it had been repurposed as a modern business park. In the early 1990s, the council, along with the central government and the Laganside Corporation, acquired the Gasworks site. Despite initial concerns about contamination, a major refurbishment programme, partly funded by the European Union, successfully transformed the area.
Redevelopment and Success
The redevelopment of the Gasworks has been widely regarded as a success story. Ormeau Business Park (OBP), one of the first developers on the site, celebrated 21 years in the Gasworks in 2021. Throughout its two decades, OBP has maintained high occupancy levels, with its first three tenants still in residence. Today, this prestigious site houses around 23 businesses, employing over 171 people.
Future Plans
Ambitious plans have been put forward for a major redevelopment and housing project at the Gasworks site. The proposal envisions the construction of 94 new homes, along with future commercial, tourist, and community facilities. The development will seek outline planning permission for new office and commercial spaces, including provisions for social enterprises, community infrastructure, and employment facilities. It also includes plans for a hotel extension and multi-storey car parking.
Additionally, full planning permission will be sought for two areas of social housing, to be developed by Radius Housing in a £13m investment. These new homes will comprise 60 two, three, and four-bedroom houses, along with 34 two-bedroom apartments, each with private gardens or balconies, and communal green spaces throughout.
This redevelopment and regeneration proposal is considered a pivotal project for the Gasworks, the surrounding community, and the entire city. A local community and housing campaigner has even described the plans as a "game changer for the Market."
I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS AREA IN MAY 2011