Bank Buildings, Belfast

The first Bank Buildings was a three storey building designed by Sir Robert Taylor and erected by Waddell Cunningham between 1785 and 1787, known as Cunningham’s Bank.[2] The bank closed in 1798 and the building was converted to residential use, becoming the residence of the Church of Ireland bishop of Down and Connor, Rev. Dr. William Dickson.

In 1853, the store became home to a wholesale drapery firm.[2] The original building was replaced in 1855 by a four storey building for Hawkins, Robertson & Co., later Robertson, Ledlie, Ferguson & Co Ltd on the death of Mr. Hawkins in 1878. The business was formed into a limited liability company in 1880. Founded by businessmen William Robertson and Henry Hawkins (Waterford), J. C. Ledlie (Cork), and Robert Ferguson (Belfast), the business soon expanded and became a commercial department store.

The Bank Buildings, along the left of the image, circa 1900

The best known Bank Buildings were constructed between 1899 and 1900. The architect W. H. Lynn allowed for large plate glass windows to be installed in the lower floors. The department store continued to operate on the first two floors whilst the upper floors were used as a warehouse for the wholesale side of the business.

The building remained under the ownership of Robertson, Ledlie, Ferguson & Company until they were bought out by the House of Fraser group in 1969.[2] The department store still continued to operate from Bank Buildings until Boots took over from House of Fraser.[2] Boots was then forced to move out in 1975. On 9 April, three bombs were detonated inside Bank Buildings. The resulting fire extensively damaged the building. Refurbishments were carried out in 1979 and after 18 months the new owners, Primark Stores Limited established a store.[2] They remain the current owners of the Bank Buildings.

In 2016, Primark announced it was expanding the building by 30,000 sq ft and refurbishing it, creating 100 new jobs once completed. The expansion cost an estimated £30m and was expected to be completed in September 2018. Commonwealth House, which occupied 29-43 Castle Street was demolished between September 2016 and April 2017 and the extension was built in its place.[3][4]

Bank Buildings after the August 2018 fire.

On 28 August 2018, a fire broke out at roughly 11:00 BST on the fifth floor or roof of the building, during business hours. Shoppers and staff were evacuated from the ground and first floors, and 11 fire appliances attended. The area around was cordoned off for public safety, and due to falling debris. The roof collapsed and the clock face was burnt out with the hands staying still at about 11:05.[5][6] The fire was still spreading and had covered all floors of the building by 15:00 with more appliances called in to assist. The building suffered extensive damage to all levels. The new wing of the building appeared relatively undamaged following the fire, due to the fact there was a gap between the two as the merge had not yet been complete. On 9 October 2018 it was reported that Bank Buildings is currently awaiting approval from Belfast City Council for an application of planning permission for a complete restoration undertaken directly by Primark of the fire damaged Belfast Bank Buildings.[7] This work was green-lit on 26 October 2018, with the initial stages aimed at reducing the safety cordon due to commence ''immediately''.[8] It is understood that this will involve the removal of the top two storeys of the building, deemed to be the most unstable, which will then allow a façade retention scheme to be put in place.[9] The stonework recovered during the removal of the top two storeys will be numbered and labelled, to be reused later in reconstruction. The iconic clockface will also be removed for restoration and eventual reinstatement.

England based demolition firm Keltbray have been appointed to carry out the emergency safety works, stone salvage, façade retention and structural demolition works. On 3 December 2018, the area around Bank Buildings was reopened to pedestrians, with concrete-filled shipping container tunnels being used to protect the public from any potential collapse.

Keltbray have now commenced the installation of the Façade Retention System that will stabilise the building and allow the internal demolition to commence in mid 2019. Keltbray completed the demolition in great time and without incident At the end of 2019. reports state that the site was handed back to the contractor who was in charge when the fire happened, Bennet Construction. The site was visited by Prince Charles during the demlotion works and met with the demolition experts from Keltbray and fire service. .[10]

Plans for a reconstructed Bank Buildings are underway, with an expected completion date of 2022.[11]

The construction team Bennett Construction have made little to no progress since the demolition was completed at Christmas 2019.