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Inside Belfast's Biggest Regeneration Failure

Document Belfast

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What really happened to North Street, Donegall Street and Belfast's iconic Assembly Rooms?

Once at the heart of Belfast's commercial and cultural life, this historic part of the city has become one of its most neglected areas. For decades, we've seen ambitious regeneration plans, changing developers, investment announcements and promises of transformation—but very little has actually happened.

In this video, I explore the fascinating history of North Street, Donegall Street and the Assembly Rooms before examining the long timeline of failed redevelopment schemes, the companies involved, and what the future may finally hold for one of Belfast's most important historic quarters.

Can this part of Belfast still be saved, or has the city missed its opportunity?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. What do you think should happen to North Street, Donegall Street and the Assembly Rooms?

00:00 Introduction
01:34 History of North Street, Donegall Street & the Assembly Rooms
07:43 Timeline of Investment & Decline
12:19 Future Redevelopment Plans
15:56 Final Thoughts

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20 Comments

@DocumentBelfast Creator 2 months ago Pinned

Do you think North Street and Donegall Street can ever be brought back to life, or has Belfast missed its chance? I'd love to hear your ideas below 👇🏼

@Shxte_Kicker 2 months ago

I find it astonishing that development had taken place in the Markets, Lagan weir, Sailortown, Titanic Quarter, Gasworks and now student roosts popping up all over the place by Queens and Ulster University, buildings that didn't need to be demolished being demolished to make way for the building of Student roosts all the white North Street, Great Victoria Street, Shaftsbury Square and Bradbury place has been left abandoned that long it's gone to decay.

@EvilestGem 2 months ago

Brilliant video, from Belfast myself and this was extremely interesting. Unfortunately, the streets around Duke of York bar are in a bad way. It's ironic because the alleyway leading to the Duke of York is probably one of the most (currently) photographed spots in Belfast (and perhaps Northen Ireland) to help promote tourism yet when you walk out into the actual street it's like an abandoned ghetto.

@stefanhanrahan 2 months ago

Dubliner here the fact that the beautiful historical buildings remain is just fantastic. Other city’s with an agenda of growth levelled everywhere. I think Belfast will be ok in the end. Just make sure you protect the rare and beautiful buildings and in time the economy will catch up.

@catherinedorrian7548 2 months ago

True story. I went to a clairvoyant in the North St Arcade. The fire was the next week. He didnt see that coming.

@conchubar1 2 months ago

It's an absolute disgrace what has happened down there, I really hope things change soon

@mrsillywalk 2 months ago

In the 60s North street was known for having cheap rooms for rent. As a student I attended a number of unusual meetings, like the Belfast chapter of the Communist Party hosted by Terri Hooley of later Good Vibrations fame.

@robert6106 2 months ago

Regeneration in other areas of Belfast city centre resulted in business migration, Belfast city council are basically responsible for the mess. Every building would be full today had the council compulsory purchased the whole area and made the area a rates free/low rent small business area.

@iroche1972 2 months ago

I had no idea of the significance of the assembly buildings. I spent a lot of my apprenticeship maintaining that building and a lot of other properties in Belfast for Northern/Danske bank. Great video, very informative.

@Belfast-Biccy 2 months ago (edited)

I think I watched a video from around 5 months ago, the jamierob guy, filming the inside of that bank?
I moved a solicitors office from the upper floors of one of those buildings around 15 years ago, 29 Fireproof safes down narrow winding stairs, back hasn't been right since!
Place is an eyesore for sure, Bangor front the same!

@seandoherty925 2 months ago

I'm so glad to see the Assembly rooms taken into city council ownership. I really didn't trust Castlebrook not to destroy it as they were letting it rot away. I hope something worthwhile can be done with it, but the little facelift it's getting is so welcome and so long overdue. Historically it is probably the most interesting building in town as you related, as well as one of the two oldest surviving if memory serves me (Clifton street poor house being the other.) Love your videos.

@ericengleby265 2 months ago (edited)

Used to go to the Network on Lower North Street best Nightclub in Belfast it was until it closed.

@fatimabenkerrrou6424 2 months ago

I miss the North steet arcade so much

@Belfaster11 2 months ago

Honestly one of your best videos, fantastic research and I hope there is a better future for the area

@bloodandhonorireland3329 2 days ago

I think an example needs to be made. All proposals should be rejected unless they include significant affordable fixed rent for small independents thus preserving the vibe of the area. If they are unwilling to do that...proposals should be rejected and land ultimately seized by the council. Make it expensive for castlebrooke.

@northernirelandtraveller 2 months ago

Your best video to date. Very interesting. Thanks

@PaulWilliams-r6v 2 months ago

Good video Conch. Many good memories down there in Hector’s House, Rip Off and Arcadia! Also a hazy memory of an all ages rock night in The Network (aka the sweatwork)

@seancampbell9689 2 months ago

I'd love to know how you find all this stuff out! Great video, well done 🙂

@Novotny72 2 months ago

Pretty sure I saw you outside City Hall today. Would have said hello but you were with a few Americans and y'know, working. If it was you! Love your work.

@joelsimonart 2 months ago

Excellent video, thanks for explaining the nature of the decline of this tragic part of my home city. One thing I cannot understand (and that is seldom mentioned anywhere) is how did such a huge portfolio of various properties come to be owned by one organisation? Did the first investment group fgo around buying the individual commercial and residential properties? What set this urban planning catastrophe in motion?