Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust
Encyclopedia
The Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust (BBPT), founded in 1996, is a cross community Building Preservation Trust
with charitable status that exists to rescue those buildings for which no apparent sustainable use can be found.
Each building rescued by the Trust seeks to regenerate the community it serves in a variety of ways, from traditional skills promotion to job creation and engendering a sense of civic pride.
The Trust’s work demonstrates what can be achieved through vision, determination and community energy. It is committed to restoring to Belfast
those buildings that make it special, and which are landmarks in the heart of the city’s communities.
Mr Paul Millar, the current Chairman of the Trust is a Chartered Architect with experience in regeneration and restoration work. The founding Chairman, Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle CBE, with a background in Public Affairs, also has experience of regeneration projects and sits on the Board of a number of other regeneration charities, including The Prince's Regeneration Trust
http://www.princes-regeneration.org/.
ST PATRICKS NATIONAL SCHOOL (1828) was built by the Newry architect Timothy Hevey on land donated by the Marquess of Donegall
for the first catholic National School in the City. It continued to serve the educational needs of the north of the City until it closed in 1982. Situated in a sectarian interface area
(which witnessed the highest murder numbers in the history of Northern Ireland’s troubles), the building was nevertheless well beloved of both communities. A package of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund http://www.hlf.org.uk/english, Architectural Heritage Fund http://www.ahfund.org.uk/ and the trust’s own borrowings ensured a completed project, and today the building houses offices, a bookshop http://www.drcbookshop.com/ and a restored classroom, extensively used by both local communities for events from creative writing classes to business seminars.http://www.ahfund.org.uk/cases/HR_NI_StPatrick.pdf
CHRIST CHURCH (1832) built by the Dublin architect William Farrell is situated in an equally difficult area between loyalist Sandy Row
and republican Durham Street. Having suffered a declining congregation, the church closed in the early 1990s and was the victim of many attacks before arson in 1995. With a similar package of funding to St Patrick’s School and a partnership with the board of governors of The Royal Belfast Academical Institution
the building is now restored as a library and IT centre, with extensive community use. The building was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2003 and has won many architectural and regeneration awards. This building in particular is proof of the way in which restored buildings can bridge communities when politicians’ words cannot.http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/built/risk/case_studies.htmhttp://freespace.virgin.net/rita.uahs/ChristChurch.html
THE GATE LODGE (1867 at the former Good Shepherd Convent in South Belfast, was built as the home for the convent caretaker. The architects were Sherry and Hughes, with a later extension and alterations in 1895 by JJ McDonnell. It is a gabled -storey lodge, situated adjacent to the key junction of the Ormeau Road
and Ravenhill Road. Small as it is, the last family to live in the building numbered eleven, including grandparents, parents and seven children. Long a landmark for both the local community and commuters alike, the building ceased to be a residence in 1974, and lay empty and derelict until the Trust agreed a restoration project with the then owners, the Diocese of Down and Connor, in early 2009. Completed in November of the same year, The Gate Lodge, now remarked upon for its bright red exterior, serves as the offices of the BBPT and is once again a much loved landmark for the city.
for some years over the possible restoration of the fine Floral Hall at Belfast Zoo
.
from Belfast Civic Trust some years ago.
Additionally, BBPT plays an active role in advocacy and lobbying with government departments, fellow preservation trusts and other bodies interested in preservation and regeneration. It is a member of the UK Association of Preservation Trusts http://www.ukapt.org.uk/index.php and a leading organisation in the Built Heritage Forum as well as a sister organisation of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society http://www.uahs.co.uk/.
Building Preservation Trust
A Building Preservation Trust is an organisation whose main aims include the preservation and regeneration of historic buildings. BPTs normally have charitable status....
with charitable status that exists to rescue those buildings for which no apparent sustainable use can be found.
Each building rescued by the Trust seeks to regenerate the community it serves in a variety of ways, from traditional skills promotion to job creation and engendering a sense of civic pride.
The Trust’s work demonstrates what can be achieved through vision, determination and community energy. It is committed to restoring to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
those buildings that make it special, and which are landmarks in the heart of the city’s communities.
Mr Paul Millar, the current Chairman of the Trust is a Chartered Architect with experience in regeneration and restoration work. The founding Chairman, Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle CBE, with a background in Public Affairs, also has experience of regeneration projects and sits on the Board of a number of other regeneration charities, including The Prince's Regeneration Trust
The Prince's Regeneration Trust
The Prince’s Regeneration Trust is one of The Prince's Charities, a group of 19 charities of which HRH The Prince of Wales is President.The Prince's Regeneration Trust works throughout the United Kingdom to ensure that important historic buildings at risk of demolition or decay are preserved,...
http://www.princes-regeneration.org/.
Completed Projects
The BBPT has completed three regeneration projects: St. Patrick's School, Donegall Street; Christ Church, College Square North; and The Gate Lodge at the former Good Shepherd Convent on the Ormeau Road, which now serves as the Trust's headquarters.ST PATRICKS NATIONAL SCHOOL (1828) was built by the Newry architect Timothy Hevey on land donated by the Marquess of Donegall
Marquess of Donegall
Marquess of Donegall is a title in the Peerage of Ireland held by the head of the Chichester family, originally from Devon, England. Sir John Chichester sat as a Member of Parliament and was High Sheriff of Devon in 1557. One of his sons, Sir Arthur Chichester, was Lord Deputy of Ireland from 1604...
for the first catholic National School in the City. It continued to serve the educational needs of the north of the City until it closed in 1982. Situated in a sectarian interface area
Interface area
Interface area is the name given to areas where segregated nationalist and unionist residential areas meet in Northern Ireland. They have been defined as "the intersection of segregated and polarised working class residential zones, in areas with a strong link betweenterritory and ethno-political...
(which witnessed the highest murder numbers in the history of Northern Ireland’s troubles), the building was nevertheless well beloved of both communities. A package of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund http://www.hlf.org.uk/english, Architectural Heritage Fund http://www.ahfund.org.uk/ and the trust’s own borrowings ensured a completed project, and today the building houses offices, a bookshop http://www.drcbookshop.com/ and a restored classroom, extensively used by both local communities for events from creative writing classes to business seminars.http://www.ahfund.org.uk/cases/HR_NI_StPatrick.pdf
CHRIST CHURCH (1832) built by the Dublin architect William Farrell is situated in an equally difficult area between loyalist Sandy Row
Sandy Row
Sandy Row is a Protestant working-class community in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. It has a population of about 3,000. It is a staunchly loyalist area of Belfast, being a traditional heartland for affiliation with the paramilitary Ulster Defence Association and the Orange Order.-Location:Sandy...
and republican Durham Street. Having suffered a declining congregation, the church closed in the early 1990s and was the victim of many attacks before arson in 1995. With a similar package of funding to St Patrick’s School and a partnership with the board of governors of The Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Royal Belfast Academical Institution
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, is a Grammar School in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Locally referred to as Inst, the school educates boys from ages 11–18...
the building is now restored as a library and IT centre, with extensive community use. The building was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2003 and has won many architectural and regeneration awards. This building in particular is proof of the way in which restored buildings can bridge communities when politicians’ words cannot.http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/built/risk/case_studies.htmhttp://freespace.virgin.net/rita.uahs/ChristChurch.html
THE GATE LODGE (1867 at the former Good Shepherd Convent in South Belfast, was built as the home for the convent caretaker. The architects were Sherry and Hughes, with a later extension and alterations in 1895 by JJ McDonnell. It is a gabled -storey lodge, situated adjacent to the key junction of the Ormeau Road
Ormeau Road
The Ormeau Road is a road in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ormeau Park is adjacent to it. It forms part of the A24.-History:Having previously been the home of George Chichester, 2nd Marquess of Donegall, a road was first built in 1815, when it was known more commonly as the New Ballynafeigh Road...
and Ravenhill Road. Small as it is, the last family to live in the building numbered eleven, including grandparents, parents and seven children. Long a landmark for both the local community and commuters alike, the building ceased to be a residence in 1974, and lay empty and derelict until the Trust agreed a restoration project with the then owners, the Diocese of Down and Connor, in early 2009. Completed in November of the same year, The Gate Lodge, now remarked upon for its bright red exterior, serves as the offices of the BBPT and is once again a much loved landmark for the city.
Future Projects
Having celebrated its tenth birthday in 2006, BBPT is currently engaged in a number of potential regeneration projects across Belfast. These include Sussex Place and Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church. In addition, the Trust has been in negotiations with Belfast City CouncilBelfast City Council
Belfast City Council is the local authority with responsibility for the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of , the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while also being the fourth smallest by area...
for some years over the possible restoration of the fine Floral Hall at Belfast Zoo
Belfast Zoo
Belfast Zoological Gardens is a zoo in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is located in a relatively secluded location on the northeastern slope of Cavehill, overlooking Belfast's Antrim Road, resulting in a uniquely tranquil environment for the animals that the zoo is frequently praised for.-About the...
.
Related Projects
Founded by Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle MBE in 1996, BBPT has long held an awareness of the need to foster civic responsibility and engagement to help protect and regenerate Belfast's historic buildings. To this end, BBPT assumed responsibility for the organisation of the Northern Ireland Schools Debating CompetitionNorthern Ireland Schools Debating Competition
The Northern Ireland Schools Debating Competition is an annual competition involving schools from across Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1993 by Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle CBE during her time as Chairman of the Belfast Civic Trust. The final of the competition is held every year in the Senate...
from Belfast Civic Trust some years ago.
Additionally, BBPT plays an active role in advocacy and lobbying with government departments, fellow preservation trusts and other bodies interested in preservation and regeneration. It is a member of the UK Association of Preservation Trusts http://www.ukapt.org.uk/index.php and a leading organisation in the Built Heritage Forum as well as a sister organisation of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society http://www.uahs.co.uk/.