Cliste Hospitality has purchased the Radisson Blu Hotel in Belfast in partnership with real estate investment, development and lending firm Warren Private.
Located in the Gasworks district of Belfast, just off the Ormeau Road, the hotel comprises 120 bedrooms, a bar, restaurant and conference facilities. It will be rebranded temporarily as The Gasworks Hotel and will undergo a £3.5 million refurbishment over the next nine months, which will include a refresh of the hotel reception, bar and restaurant, conference facilities and guest bedrooms.
Hotel operator Cliste already owns/manages hotels in the Republic of Ireland, including 13 hotels under The iNUA Collection brand. Other hotels in The iNUA Collection owned or managed by Cliste Hospitality include The Dublin One Hotel, the five-star Muckross Park Hotel & Spa in Killarney, and Radisson Blu Hotels in Cork, Limerick, Athlone & Sligo. Cliste’s acquisition of The Gasworks Hotel is its first hotel investment in Northern Ireland.
Why it matters
This marks Cliste’s expansion outside its debut market of the Republic of Ireland and could signify the operator’s intention to continue to grow in Northern Ireland and throughout the UK.
What they said
Paul Fitzgerald, CEO of Cliste Hospitality said: “Cliste Hospitality is delighted to make our first hotel investment in Northern Ireland with this wonderful property in central Belfast. We are keen to become a significant part of the community in the city. All current employees will be offered the opportunity to continue with the business, and all room reservations and events booked will be fully honoured.”
David Kelleher, principal at Warren Private added: “Warren Private is delighted to have completed the acquisition of the former Radisson Hotel in Belfast, our second joint venture with Cliste Hospitality. We look forward to the refurbishment and rebranding of the hotel as The Gasworks Hotel, Belfast, and to continuing our support of Cliste Hospitality in its expansion plans.”