Architect’s Account of Amelia Hall/Flint Hotel

Posted 3 weeks ago

14 November 2024

This article is featured in the November 2024 edition of Perspective magazine, to purchase a copy click here.

The Flint Hotel, owned by Belfast Hospitality Group the Ringland Group, has been in operation since 2018, occupying the upper floors of the 7-storey red sandstone building at the corner of Howard Street and Brunswick Street in Belfast’s Linen Quarter.

This is a visually and historically significant building whose presence on the street has been slightly eroded over the years by a typical piecemeal subdivision of the ground floor spaces. Until recently, the prominent corner unit in particular comprised a very basic curtain wall shopfront and illuminated signboard. It’s a familiar story that the occupation of the ground floor retail development can distract and detract from our appreciation of our historic buildings, and the result of this was that despite the size, location and quality of the building, the Flint Hotel itself has had a relatively low-key presence in the city centre to this point.

The transfer in control of the various ground floor retail units to the hotel owner in 2023 meant that they could enhance the presence of the Flint, and develop the concept for its associated bar and pizzeria, Amelia Hall.

This phase of redevelopment comprised significant demolition of ground floor areas to the rear of the site, where all back of house areas could be reconfigured, including storage, toilets and kitchen provision. The front of house spaces on the ground floor could then be opened up to form Amelia Hall – a beer hall, pizzeria and terrace.

The entrance and lobby of the Flint Hotel was also relocated as part of the redevelopment, and now has a unique alleyway presence on Amelia Lane, a newly configured external space. Amelia Lane is connected through to Amelia Hall by a complex and enjoyable arrangement of external and semi-external spaces. It was the vision of the owners’ from the start of the design process to provide something quite distinctive and fresh in terms of external spaces, while remaining integrated within the existing building. This approach has provided a useful and atmospheric covered external space, which seems entirely appropriate for a city that is accustomed to a large amount of rainfall throughout the year.

The works to the hotel reception formed an initial element of a phased construction programme which allowed the hotel to remain operational throughout the redevelopment. The reconfiguration of the entrance and stairs presented a mind-melting 3-dimensional problem and satisfying solution for the Architect, Structural Engineer and contractors alike. The new reception incorporates a conventional check-in desk as well as multiple self check-in stations for those of us who know our way around a tablet. The interior design of the new reception is close in style to the existing hotel bedrooms and the established Flint Hotel brand, and reflects a contemporary northern European modernism of clean lines, warm timber, and mid-century detailing.

The hotel building was fully scaffolded to its ground + 6 floors for several months in late 2023 which allowed for a programme of stonework repair, as well the replacement of windows to the Howard Street and Brunswick Street facades. As well as these external works which were separately tendered, a main contractor was appointed to carry out significant demolition to the ground floor back of house areas, as well as installation of new drainage infrastructure and in-ground attenuation. The construction of a new single storey in-situ concrete superstructure was also carried out as part of the main contract. This construction was designed and constructed to support a future phase of development, which will see the creation of additional floors of bedrooms and a rooftop bar. It is an impressive piece of structural engineering and heavy construction, and is apparent in the exposed concrete soffit in Amelia Hall.

As well as the main contractor, two separate fit-out contractors were appointed to work on the interiors and new shopfronts. Co-ordination of the separate contracts was predictably complex and it is a reflection of the commitment of the client, design team, project manager, and contractors that the completed project was delivered smoothly and on time.

In terms of interior design, the approach to Amelia Hall was to enhance and unify what was conceived as a series of distinct spaces within the venue. The goal, as ever, with a large open plan arrangement was to provide moments of curiosity and enjoyment ‘just around the corner’ – rather than seeing the whole picture from one viewpoint. Some areas are more intimate, and some more boisterous. The spaces are bright and light-filled during the morning for breakfast and brunch, and a carefully controlled lighting installation provides an ambient atmosphere at night. Bespoke furniture was designed for each area, as it was important to provide comfortable spaces for various distinct scenarios throughout the day and night, from informal meetings with coffee, pizza with friends, and pints with friends. The window seats are a prime location for people-watching.

The project team knew that opening up the small retail units on the ground floor would transform the building internally, but were equally delighted by the heightened presence the building now once again has, as a main player on the streetscape. The reaction from passersby and customers has been very consistent, in that they hadn’t really noticed the building before, and how it feels like somewhere else – another city even, comparing it to the likes of London. It makes one wonder how many other opportunities for reinvention exist across the city, hiding in plain view. This building has been essentially unchanged in substance for the last 100 years, and many of us have walked by dozens of times. But it does now seem to have a new life and attitude.