Plans for a £75million redevelopment of the former Belfast Telegraph building, have been approved by Belfast City Council.

The Sixth located at the bottom of Royal Avenue includes 230,000 square feet of creative workspace, alongside 'active' ground floor uses such as cafes, restaurants and retail and a roof-top running track. The plans were prepared by Bel Tel LLP, a first of its kind joint venture (JV) between McAleer & Rushe and Belfast City Council.

Highlighting the impact of The Sixth on the redevelopment of the city, Councillor Matt Garrett, chair of Belfast City Council’s planning committee, said: "The Sixth occupies a strategic location on Royal Avenue that will be a catalyst for further regeneration, bringing a historic heritage building back into use as a forward-thinking workspace for creative businesses.

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"The scheme has been specifically designed to respect the existing built heritage in this part of the city, which is set to be further transformed over the next two to three years, and The Sixth will build on the momentum already generated by the Ulster University investment."

Stephen Surphlis, Property Director McAleer & Rushe, added to her commented: "We are extremely pleased that councillors have supported our plans, and have supported the officer’s recommendation to approve our application. We look forward to progressing the development as quickly as funding is in place to deliver the project

"As the first joint venture of its kind Bel Tel LLP assembled an experienced team to bring forward proposals that underlined a balance between the heritage of the listed building and the future regeneration of this part of the city.

"They have been informed by productive discussion and constructive feedback from Belfast City Council Planners, Historic Environment Division and other statutory consultees over the past 12 months."

Designed by Stirling Prize-winning architectural practice Alford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), The Sixth will create accommodation for 2,000 high value jobs as part of an emerging creative district. In addition to AHMM the supporting project team includes national planning and development consultancy Turley, Sort Design and commercial agents CBRE and Lisney.