An historic Belfast building based in the City’s Linen Quarter and dating back to 1902 is undergoing a major redevelopment to regenerate two bars and a night club, creating 100 new jobs. The first of three phases within the £1m investment will be finished by late May with the opening of an exciting new asian influenced bar Shiro, complete with secluded roof terrace, scheduled for the 5th June. 

Award winning O’Donnell O’Neill Design Associates has been tasked with overseeing the redevelopment of the building situated across Brunswick Street, Franklin Street and James Street South,  with the restoration of all three venues, previously known as Irene and Nan’s, La Lea & Bar Bacca, complete by the end of September.

According to Paul Langsford, Director of the new project and of some of Belfast's most current and successful bars employing 225 staff across the Albany, El Divino and Filthy McNasty's, the development is one of the most significant investment's within the city centre entertainment industry, of the last few years.

Commenting he said, “The development of Shiro as well as the construction of another contemporary bar and night club is a significant investment of intent within an area of our City that has enormous underutilised potential.   The area that the venues are based in has some of the most sought after restaurants anywhere in the UK or Ireland.  Now with the completion of Shiro and the other two developments it will also have entertainment venues to match the leading night life Cities of Europe, bringing a significant economic boost to the heart of the city centre bar scene.”

O’Donnell O’Neill Design Associates have drawn inspiration for the new development from knowledge and expertise gained across projects in New York and London with Paul Langsford stating that the new bar Shiro is creating an innovative and stylish experience that is customer orientated, atmospheric and experiential, he continued, “Shiro will be like no other Belfast bar experience, it is truly unique.  Meaning ‘white’ in Japanese the venue will have a sophisticated inviting cocktail bar as its main focus, with views into a vibrant kitchen through glazed doors, raised booths for seating, an area for performing DJ’s and for patrons in the know a secluded roof terrace bar.

“With events such as the Giro d ‘Italia bringing global visitors to the City Centre and its surrounding areas,  Belfast has never been more on the visitor map.  We believe that our investment and phased approach of two exciting new bars and a night club on the south side of the City Centre will add significant weight to Belfast’s positioning as a great night out for visitors from home or abroad.”

For further information please contact Shane Finnegan or Katrina Frazer at Aiken PR on 028 90 663000