The full extent of an iconic £18m theatre project that is underway in south Belfast has just emerged.

Last week as the new Lyric reached the highest point in its construction and was officially 'topped out' the core building structure was completed, with the theatre now 'cementing' its place within a new Belfast skyline on Ridgeway Street.

Architect, John Tuomey from O'Donnell-Tuomey (pictured) said the new building is three times the size of the old theatre it replaces and will have three distinct areas, a 390-seat auditorium, a second performance studio for experimental work, and a rehearsal room. He noted that contractor Gilbert Ash has so far used 160,000 bricks in the re-build, along with 510 tonnes of steel.

"Over 300 have been people employed on the construction to date - working some 118,960-man hours," he explained.

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It is one of the major capital projects recently undertaken in the arts and has received support from The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council as well as many other donors and high profile supporters.

Speaking at the rooftop ceremony last week, John Tuomey continued: "We are delighted to see the Lyric reach 'topping out'.

"The structure is up, the scale and volume of the building is established on the skyline and can be seen reflected in the river.

"What has been done so far makes us confident that this will be a very special building.

"There are many challenges in making such a complex building on such a special site," he said.

"Now that we have reached the half way point, we can begin to realise our first aspirations; that the design of the new Lyric would belong to its particular place, connecting the brick street architecture of Belfast to the sylvan landscape setting of the Lagan."

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Pat Convery, hailed the Lyric Theatre as a project destined to provide a lasting legacy for the city.

"Belfast City Council is delighted to support this regeneration of our city's cultural offering and its enhancement of our tourism product.

"The social, cultural and economic benefits from this investment will be enormous," he said.

For more information on the new theatre visit: www.lyrictheatre.co.uk/newtheatre

See: Lyric Rebuilding Praised By Minister

(BMcC/GK)