Queens Arcade, Belfast

Consarc acted as lead architect for the restoration and enhancement of Queen’s Arcade, a Grade B1 listed high Victorian shopping arcade in Belfast’s City Centre Conservation Area. The project involved detailed condition surveys, internal and external renovations, and the retrofit of two new high-end boutique units. A key challenge was to remodel the Donegall Place façade to improve the arcade’s street presence while respecting its 1930s Art Deco shopfront style. The design team carried this aesthetic through to the new façade, creating an inviting frontage for a boutique that remains on display 24 hours a day. This approach not only maximised visibility and commercial potential but also responded to Belfast City Council’s ambitions to support the night-time economy. Secure design Principals and sensitive façade lighting were integral to the scheme.

Restoration work included extensive external and internal fabric repairs, completed in phases to ensure the arcade remained fully operational. Liaison with statutory bodies, including HED and Belfast City Council, ensured compliance with heritage guidelines while allowing for appropriate contemporary interventions. Consarc’s heritage expertise and understanding of context, scale, rhythm, and proportion ensured that modern upgrades were seamlessly integrated. The completed scheme revitalised the arcade’s historic character, enhanced its setting within Belfast’s Victorian commercial core, and delivered a high-quality retail environment that balances conservation excellence with modern retail needs.