Construction Begins on £20 Million Staycity Aparthotel in Belfast City Centre
Construction has begun on a new £20 million Staycity aparthotel in Belfast city centre, marking the Dublin-based hospitality group's first venture into Northern Ireland and signalling continued investor confidence in Belfast's growing tourism and hospitality sector.
The development, located at the former Beaufort House office building on Wellington Place, will transform the nine-storey building into a 98-room aparthotel offering a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments. The project is being developed by Northern Irish firm Lotus Property, with financial backing from Danske Bank and construction being carried out by Killowen Contracts.
Background
Staycity Group, headquartered in Dublin, operates a growing portfolio of aparthotels across the UK and Europe, with properties in cities including London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Paris, and Berlin. The Belfast development represents the company's first foray into Northern Ireland, and will introduce a new design concept for the brand. Aparthotels — which offer self-catering apartment-style accommodation combined with hotel-like services — have become an increasingly popular choice for both business and leisure travellers seeking flexibility and value.
Key Developments
The new Staycity property will offer guests fully fitted kitchens, workspaces, and living areas, alongside hotel amenities including a gym, reception, bar, restaurant, and retail offerings. The development is expected to create construction jobs during its build phase and hospitality jobs upon completion, contributing to the local economy. The aparthotel is scheduled to open in 2027.
The project has been welcomed by Belfast's business community as a sign of confidence in the city's continued growth as a tourism destination. Belfast has seen significant investment in its hospitality sector in recent years, driven by growing visitor numbers attracted by the city's cultural offerings, its Game of Thrones tourism trail, and its improving reputation as a short-break destination.
Why It Matters
The Staycity development adds to a pipeline of new hotel and aparthotel projects in Belfast that reflect the city's ambitions to grow its visitor economy. For Northern Ireland's tourism sector, which has faced significant challenges in recent years, new investment of this scale is a welcome vote of confidence. The project also demonstrates the continued appetite of Republic of Ireland-based businesses to invest in Northern Ireland.
What's Next
Construction is now underway, with the aparthotel expected to open in 2027. The development will add 98 rooms to Belfast's accommodation stock at a time when demand for quality city-centre accommodation continues to grow. Full details of the project were reported by Belfast Telegraph.
