Plans are underway to transform the former Good Shepherd Centre on Ormeau Road, Belfast, into a 28-apartment residential development according to a Belfast Telegraph report.

The grade B1 listed building, dating back to the 1860s and formerly used by the Sisters of Nazareth, occupies a 1.3-acre city-centre site.

The property was marketed by commercial agents Cushman & Wakefield with an asking price of £2.25 million.

Previous permissions allowed office conversion, granted in 2023, but the new proposal prioritises housing, with apartments ranging from one- to three-bed units.

Planning documents highlight the development’s sustainability credentials, emphasising proximity to jobs, retail, services, and public transport.

Private communal gardens would be included, while a viability assessment indicates no provision for affordable housing could be integrated without compromising feasibility.

The site is described as “an excellent opportunity in a sought-after location” close to Ravenhill Road, one of Belfast’s most desirable residential areas. Its strategic location, coupled with the listed building’s historic character, is expected to appeal to both residents and investors seeking city-centre living with heritage value.

The Good Shepherd Centre has been a fixture in south Belfast for over 150 years, and adaptive reuse of the property aligns with broader urban regeneration trends, preserving architectural heritage while addressing housing demand. The proposal seeks to maintain the building’s historic features while repurposing its interior for modern living standards.

John Mulgrew, reporting for Belfast Telegraph, notes that the conversion would represent one of the few large-scale residential projects in central Belfast that repurpose a listed religious building for contemporary use, reflecting growing interest in heritage-led development.

Explore the full development plans and detailed site analysis in the complete article.