BBC Northern Ireland has submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of Broadcasting House in Belfast. The proposal confirms speculation that the existing buildings will be retained, although the office block and TV blocks will have updated facades.
The original Broadcasting House building on Ormeau Avenue was B1 listed in 1994, so the exterior of that structure will remain more or less untouched.
There’s a new ‘bridge building’ to link the existing buildings. Another addition is a planned public plaza on Linenhall Street. There will also be an internal reconfiguration and refurbishment of existing buildings (studio block, office block and Broadcasting House).
UPDATE: there had been speculation in recent years about the future of the Blackstaff facility, off Great Victoria Street in Belfast. Studio A, BBC Northern Ireland’s largest studio and home of the Nolan TV show, is based at Blackstaff. The BBC has confirmed plans to invest in this studio facility – this will include a new OB unit, which will act as a gallery for the studio.
EXTERNAL LINK: the planning application can be viewed in full here.
EXTERNAL LINK: History of the BBC: BBC Broadcasting House, Belfast.
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PICTURED: proposed updated look for BBC Broadcasting House, Belfast. SUPPLIED BY: Online/Future Belfast. COPYRIGHT: Sheppard Robson/BBC.