‘This is a monumental building with endless possibilities’

The long-running saga over what will happen to the historic Crumlin Road Courthouse took a new twist this week.

The building was purchased by property developer and Grand Master of the Orange Order of Donegal, David Mahon.

In an interview with BBC Radio Ulster on the Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr Mahon said the current planning permission for a 55-bedroom hotel was “not financially viable at this time”.

He said: “We are meeting with architects and consultants to see what the best approach is and what would be feasible on the site.”

Ideas have also been floated, including a private hospital, but Mahon said he wants the “iconic building” to be “used in some way”.

“It may be aimed at tourism, but no decision has been made yet. We are still in the consultation process,” he added.

Locals and tourists are hoping that something can finally be done with the building, with one Belfast resident saying there are “endless development opportunities”.

Luke Baird told BBC News NI that “the historical value of this building is great”.

The courthouse closed in 1998 after nearly 150 years of use.

Since then, several development plans have failed and the building has been damaged by several fires.

“It would be great if they kept the front facade and made it into a building that looks like London, with an open plan hospitality area and offices,” Mr Baird said.

“The internal needs are obviously taken care of, but it would clearly need a new roof. I think it needs to be restored for its historical value.”

According to his partner Hannah Rosenberg, a hotel would “fit in very well with the old building and be modernised inside”.

Caroline Taylor, who lives nearby, said the most important thing was that the building was restored and maintained.

“I think the architecture of this building is beautiful and unique,” ​​she told BBC News NI.

“Something needs to be done to ensure that purchased buildings are restored within a specified time frame after purchase.

“So many buildings in Belfast are being bought or demolished and nothing is done with them.

“I think there should be a rule that if you buy something like that, you can’t leave it lying around for years. It’s an eyesore.”

Crumlin Road is popular with visitors to the town, with tourist buses often stopping at the former gaol, opposite the courthouse.

Scott Hildd and his wife Imeri admired the building during their holiday from the United States.

“It will be interesting to see how it is renovated and restored to the way it originally looked. It could be anything really,” he told BBC News NI.

“We have seen a lot of buildings in the city centre being repurposed and refurbished, which can provide inspiration for what this could become.”

Xiao Sun travels through Northern Ireland and stopped at the courthouse to admire the building.

“I would like to see this as a museum or an indoor exhibition. The building is built in the Greek style and if they were to create something with it, it would fit in well with the look of the building,” he said.

“A museum for peace would be great.

“It would bring more tourists to the area, or a hotel for tourists visiting Belfast, who could see the prison and the old courthouse in one go.”