Academy Street is the first PRS housing scheme to be designed for Belfast, reflecting a resurgence in city centre living which follows in the footsteps of other British industrial cities.

Taking cues from Belfast’s industrial heritage, the design of the tower seeks to strengthen the unique and evolving character of the city by delivering a scheme designed to its specific context.

The building is to be clad in brick, aluminium and glass. Using classical building proportions, the 16-storey building has a four storey base above which a setback respects views of the Cathedral spire and an articulated top which makes a positive statement on the skyline. It is part of an emerging cluster of taller buildings in the centre of Belfast, which together are creating a bold skyline and intensifying land-use in the City.

The building will provide 90 one and two bedroom apartments with communal amenity space. At ground level a café and entrances onto Academy, Exchange and Hector Streets provide activity and vitality to the public realm. It is a zero car parking scheme, adopting a proven environmental agenda which promotes and increases the utilisation of public transport and local businesses. 

The PRS apartment building will be the first of its kind in the city, complementing the existing provision of student residential apartments. The scheme provides high-quality accommodation in the city centre for urban professionals, downsizers and corporate renters as well as encouraging graduates to stay in the city.

FCBStudios achieved unanimous planning permission for the scheme in October 2018.