Architecture of Belfast
The architecture of Belfast comprises many styles of architecture ranging from Georgian through to state-of-the-art modern buildings like the Waterfront Hall and Titanic Belfast. The city's beautiful Victorian and Edwardian buildings are notable for their display of a large number of sculptures. Many of Belfast's Victorian landmarks, including the main Lanyon Building at Queens University in 1849, were designed by Sir Charles Lanyon.
Chronology and Styles
Belfast became a substantial settlement in the 17th century after being established as a town by Sir Arthur Chichester,.[1] None of the buildings from Belfast’s first century as a market town on the river Farset survive today. The only significant structures in those early years from 1613 would have been a castle established by Sir Arthur Chichester, and the parish church at the foot of High Street, where a ‘chapel of the ford’ had been erected by 1306, and where St George’s church now stands.
Georgian
- Clifton House
(1771–1774; Grade A) - The Exchange and Assembly Rooms
(1769)
Remodelled in 1845
Victorian
- Botanic Gardens Palm House
(1839–1840) - Lanyon Building
(1849) - 16 Victoria Street
(1852; Grade B) - Union Theological College
(1853; Grade A) - The Custom House
(1856) - The Headline Building
(1863) - Clarence House
(1867) - Belfast Castle
(1811–1870; Grade B+) - The Old Town Hall
(1860–1879; Grade B1) - The Scottish Provident Institution
(1899–1902; Grade A)
20th century
Edwardian
- Belfast City Hall
(1898–1906; Grade A)
Pre-World War II and Art Deco
- Ulster Museum
(1929; extended 1962; Grade B1) - Parliament Buildings
(1922–1932; Grade A) - North Street Arcade
(1936–1938; Grade B1) - Telephone House
(1920–1939; Grade B2) - Broadcasting House
(1938–1941; Grade B1)
Late 20th century
- Windsor House
(1975) - Belfast City Hospital Tower
(1986) - Waterfront Hall
(1995–1997) - BT Riverside Tower
(1998) - Belfast Hilton
(1998)
21st century
In 2011 and 2012 Belfast saw the creation of two buildings described as "two of the most stunning new British buildings of the century",[2] namely the Lyric Theatre (2011) by Irish architects O’Donnell and Tuomey and the Belfast MAC (2012) by local architectural practice Hackett Hall McKnight. In contrast, the new boat-shaped Titanic Museum (2012) was described by The Telegraph as "startlingly inane".[2]
- Obel Tower
(2006–2011) - Victoria Square
(2008) - The Boat
(2010) - Titanic Belfast
(2012) - The MAC
(2012) - Lanyon Plaza
(2014)
Non-extant buildings and structures
See also
References
Notes
- ↑ "History of Belfast Castle". Tourism and venues. Belfast City Council. 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- 1 2 "Belfast: rising from the ruin of the Troubles". The Telegraph. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2014.