H&M, the international fashion retailer, has announced plans to open a two-storey flagship store in a new retail and leisure development in Belfast City Centre. The store, spanning 20,000 sq ft, will offer H&M’s full line of clothing for men, women, teenagers, and children. It will be a core tenant of The Keep, a development set to be completed in early 2024 on Castle Lane.
The project involves the refurbishment and reconfiguration of the former British Home Stores building, covering 70,000 sq ft, which has been vacant for almost five years. This multimillion-pound investment is expected to breathe new life into the city centre. Additionally, Deichmann, Europe’s largest footwear retailer, will open an 8,500 sq ft two-storey store in the same development, its first on the island of Ireland.
Richard Faloon, Commercial Director of Alterity Investments, the company behind The Keep, expressed delight in securing H&M as a core tenant. He emphasized H&M’s global reputation as one of the most popular high-street fashion brands. Faloon also highlighted the aim to establish The Keep as a retail and leisure hub in the city centre, bringing benefits to the surrounding area and existing holdings.
The property, managed by Frazer Kidd, consists of three upper floors and a ground floor that opens onto Castle Lane, Castle Arcade, and Cornmarket. Brian Kidd, from Frazer Kidd, revealed strong interest from international occupiers in this prime location between Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and City Centre core. He expects to confirm additional occupiers in the coming months.
Alterity’s plans for the building include reconfiguring the ground floor into multiple retail units and making partial changes on upper floors to accommodate leisure uses. The façade on Castle Lane, Castle Arcade, and Cornmarket will also undergo a revamp to enhance the building’s aesthetic appeal.
With H&M’s flagship store and other upcoming occupiers, the new Belfast City Centre development is poised to inject energy and vitality into the retail and leisure scene, further enhancing the city’s appeal.
Sources:
– Belfast Live