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A £97m proposal for a landmark building in the Titanic Quarter has been backed by the Stormont Executive (see press release below) and work on the Project is due to start in January with the executive putting £43m to the cost.
 
Exhibition designers Event will be masterplanning the permanent Titanic Memorial Museum which will chart the history of the Titanic and the city where she was created.
 
James Alexander, chief executive of exhibition design specialists Event Communications said: "This is terrific news for Belfast and offers a magnificent opportunity not only to anchor the regeneration of the wider Titanic Quarter but to boost the City's economy.  Moreover, the project presents a platform from which we can commemorate and tell not just the Titanic story, but the story of Belfast and its industrial and economic history as one of the wealthiest European cities of the early 20th century.  Event is delighted to be delivering the exhibition content as part of the team and is looking forward to collaborating on this project over the coming years to deliver a visitor destination of international appeal."

The press release, dated 28th Nov, from the Northern Ireland Executive reads:

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster welcomed the Executive’s decision to support Titanic Quarter Limited’s proposal for a Titanic Signature Project in Belfast.

Following the meeting today Arlene Foster said: “The Executive has agreed to offer up to £43.5million toward the £97million Titanic Quarter Limited proposal for a Titanic Signature Project.”

The remaining £53.5million required for the project, is expected to come from Titanic Quarter Limited, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Belfast City Council.

The Minister added: “At a time when the Northern Ireland construction industry is under significant pressure this project will deliver a much needed boost to the sector. At the project’s peak there will be some 600 workers on site. And that is without counting the additional benefits created through indirect and induced employment, which the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors estimate at two additional jobs for every construction job created.”

Arlene Foster continued: “The Titanic Signature Project will bring the story of RMS Titanic back home to Belfast, where she and her sister ships were designed and built. It provides Belfast and Northern Ireland with a tremendous opportunity to develop an iconic, world class visitor destination, achieving international standout and delivering the economic and social benefits such a tourist attraction can bring.”

It is anticipated that construction work will begin early next year. This is subject to the satisfactory completion of commercial discussions and funding conditions with the project promoters, the conclusion of a legal agreement between all the funders and receipt of planning approval.

The Titanic/Maritime Heritage Signature Project is one of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s (NITB) five Signature Projects which were identified for their potential to create international stand out and world class excellence for Northern Ireland.

The Titanic/Maritime Heritage Signature Project features the key historic sites associated with Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage and the story of Titanic, including: The Titanic and Olympic Slipways; The Harland and Wolff Headquarter Building and Drawing Offices; The Thompson Dock and Pump House; HMS Caroline; SS Nomadic and H & W Cranes.

NITB has proceeded with developments linked to the Titanic project including £1.2million restoration project of the Thompson Dock and Pump House.

Notes

1. The Titanic Quarter Limited proposal for the Titanic Signature Project envisages an iconic building located at the head of the Titanic and Olympic slipways in the heart of Titanic Quarter.

2. The iconic building, located on over three acres of land, would be over five storeys high and contain a number of themed galleries which would tell the story of the Titanic and Belfast’s maritime heritage.

3. The building would also include general function, banqueting, retail and restaurant facilities.

4. The proposal is to have the building completed by 2012 and is expected to attract up to 400,000 visitors a year.

5. Following the securing of all funding and the signing of the legal agreements the project will be taken forward by the Titanic Foundation Ltd (TFL) an independent Charitable Trust which has been established to specifically to deliver this project . TFL will be the owners of the building

6. NITB’s five Signature Projects are: the St Patrick/Christian Heritage; the Mournes; the Walled City; the Giants Causeway and the Titanic (Maritime) Heritage.

See also:
Kuwait Oil company approves Event Communciations' Designs for Interactive Oil & Gas Exhibition
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Kevin Murphy joins Event Communications as Development Director