Belfast City Centre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Belfast City Centre |
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|---|---|
| Central Business District | |
Belfast City Hall |
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 Belfast City Centre
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| Irish grid reference | J338740 |
| District | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BELFAST |
| Postcode district | BT? |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
Belfast City Centre is the main business area of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It's like the heart of the city, where many important offices, shops, and entertainment spots are found.
The city centre first grew around the Donegall Street area. Today, Donegall Street is mostly a business area. However, new homes and fun places are being built there as part of the Cathedral Quarter project. St. Anne's Cathedral, a big church, is located here. Another important church, St. Peter's, is just west of the city centre.
Some of Belfast's main newspapers, like The Belfast Telegraph and The Irish News, are also located nearby.
The city centre now includes places like Donegall Square (where the City Hall is), Donegall Place, Royal Avenue, and High Street. These areas are full of shops, restaurants, and historic buildings.
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What's New in Belfast City Centre?
Over the last ten years, the city centre has seen a lot of new buildings and improvements. This is called redevelopment.
Laganside Development
One big project is the Laganside Development. It includes the famous Waterfront Hall, which is a concert and event venue. You can also find the BT Tower, a Hilton Hotel, and the Odyssey Complex here. The Odyssey has a cinema, a science centre, and an arena for sports and concerts. Many new apartments have also been built along the river.
Gasworks Business Park
The Gasworks Business Park is another important development. It used to be an old industrial site, but it has been completely transformed. Now it has modern offices, places for businesses, and even a Radisson Hotel. There's also a beautiful public park that has won awards. This project is a great example of how old industrial land can be turned into something new and useful.
Victoria Square
Victoria Square is a huge shopping, living, and entertainment area. It took over six years to build and cost a lot of money. It opened in March 2008 and is one of the biggest projects ever in Northern Ireland. It has many shops, including a very large House of Fraser department store.
Cathedral Quarter Plans
In 2006, plans were approved for a £300 million project to improve another part of the Cathedral Quarter. This plan includes a new shopping centre with a big department store. This project was expected to create many new jobs for people building it and working there once it's finished.
Famous Buildings in the City Centre
Belfast City Centre is home to many well-known buildings:
- Albert Clock: A famous clock tower that leans a bit, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
- City Hall: A grand building in Donegall Square, where the city council meets.
- Linenhall Library: A historic library with many old books and documents.
- The Obel Tower: One of the tallest buildings in Belfast, offering great views.
- Belfast Metropolitan College: A college where students learn many different skills.
- Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI): A historic school for boys.
- St. George's Church: An old church on High Street.
- St. George's Market: A popular Victorian market where you can find food, crafts, and antiques.
- The Ulster Hall: A famous concert and event venue.
- The Waterfront Hall: A modern venue for concerts, conferences, and events.
- Windsor House: A tall office building.
- Victoria Square: A modern shopping and leisure complex.
Popular Places to Visit
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The city centre also has many places for entertainment and food. Some well-known spots include:
- McHugh's Bar
- The Crown Liquor Saloon: A very famous and historic pub known for its beautiful Victorian design.
- The Limelight
- The Northern Whig
Getting Around by Train
You can easily reach Belfast City Centre by train. Northern Ireland Railways has several stations close by:
- Belfast Lanyon Place
- Belfast Grand Central
- Botanic
- York Street
- City Hospital
