Belfast City Council Completes Purchase of Historic Assembly Rooms and Adjacent Properties

Belfast City Council has completed the purchase of the historic Assembly Rooms and adjacent properties in the Cathedral Quarter, marking a significant step in the city's ongoing regeneration efforts. The Grade B1 listed Assembly Rooms, dating back to 1769, is a prominent heritage building known for its rich history, including events such as the rejection of slave trading plans in 1786, the Belfast Harp Festival in 1792, and the sentencing of rebel Henry Joy McCracken in 1798. Vacant since 2000 and listed as at risk, the building was included in the 2025 World Monuments Watch for its global cultural significance and urgent conservation needs. The council aims to restore and repurpose the Assembly Rooms and surrounding properties to breathe new life and vibrancy into Belfast's city center while respecting the site's historic legacy. Future uses are currently being explored, and supplementary planning guidance promoting a heritage-led regeneration approach for the area will be consulted on later this year. This purchase and planned revitalization are seen as key to catalyzing broader investment and revitalization in the Cathedral Quarter and northeast city center.