GRAHAM has marked the topping out of Weavers' Hall on Dublin Road alongside Queen's University Belfast and the wider project team, celebrating the delivery of Ireland’s largest Passivhaus-standard student accommodation.

Applications are now open, with the first residents set to move in this August ahead of the new academic year. The 16-storey development provides 459 en suite student rooms, including 98 studios. Built to Passivhaus standards, it is designed to use minimal energy for heating and cooling. Amenities include study spaces, a coffee bar and cinema room, a ground-floor courtyard, and furnished terraces on upper levels with views across Belfast.

The scheme reshapes the streetscape on Dublin Road and is expected to stimulate city-centre economic activity through increased student living. It is within a short walk of Grand Central Station and Queen’s main campus.

Queen's President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer, said: "Belfast is a thriving city and remains one of the most affordable places to live when compared to other cities across the UK and attracts a huge number of students each year.

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"A world class education is one reason why Queen's is the University of choice for many students, but we know the student experience extends beyond lecture halls and classrooms. The first-rate accommodation and facilities on offer at Weavers’ Hall will truly enhance that whole university experience for its occupants, and we look forward to welcoming our first intake this summer."

Jonathan Hall, Group Chief Operating Officer at GRAHAM, said: "The topping out of Weavers' Hall marks a significant milestone in delivering Belfast's first Passivhaus-certified student accommodation scheme, underpinned by close collaboration with Queen's University Belfast.

"This project is setting a new benchmark for sustainable student living in Northern Ireland. By embedding Passivhaus principles into the construction process, we are delivering a building that will combine exceptional energy performance, high levels of comfort and improved air quality for its residents. Weavers’ Hall represents not only a major addition to the University's estate, but a step forward in how multi-occupancy buildings can contribute to a lower-carbon city."

Lucy Dixon, Regional Manager for Northern Ireland at Pagabo, said: "This project demonstrates how a compliant framework can enable major developments to be procured quickly and efficiently while maintaining full transparency and governance. By providing a clear and robust route to market, we were able to support Queen’s University Belfast in appointing the right delivery partner at pace, helping ensure this landmark student accommodation scheme could progress without delay. Developments like Weavers’ Hall not only support the future success and wellbeing of students, but also contribute to the wider community and the long-term decarbonisation of the built environment."