Riddel’s Warehouse is a four-storey, mid-19th century ironmongery warehouse located on Ann Street in central Belfast. Designed by Thomas Jackson and constructed in 1867 for John Riddel & Co, the building is noted for a glazed atrium with five storeys of galleries supported on cast-iron columns and heavy timber members. The property is Grade B (B+/B1) listed and sits within a city-centre context of historic commercial buildings adjacent to the docks and to modern redevelopment sites.

Current use and ownership

The building ceased operating as a commercial warehouse in the early 1970s and fell into disrepair; it was subsequently acquired by Hearth Historic Buildings Trust in 2014 to secure and restore the structure. Since acquisition Hearth has undertaken holding repairs, enabled interim “meanwhile” uses (events, tours and cultural activities) and advanced feasibility and funding work to support a longer-term conservation-led re-use as a creative / cultural hub.

History of Riddel’s Warehouse

Built in 1867, Riddel’s Warehouse is an important, relatively intact example of Victorian industrial architecture in Belfast. The building served as one of the city’s principal ironmongery warehouses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its internal galleried atrium and arched principal elevations are key heritage features cited in statutory listing and conservation descriptions. The site was placed on at-risk registers during periods of long vacancy; restoration proposals have been supported by a sequence of heritage grants and loans.

Past planning, funding and conservation activity

Since transfer to Hearth, the project has attracted support from specialist funders including the Architectural Heritage Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and has received multiple development grants and a Heritage Impact Fund loan to progress feasibility, urgent repairs and conservation works. Historic building condition reports, sketch restoration plans and staged delivery proposals have been prepared as part of funding and listed-building consent activity.

Recent Planning History

In November 2024, Hearth Historic Buildings Trust submitted a planning application (LA04/2024/1906/F) proposing the restoration of the ground floor of the property to the front of building and change of use from offices to include use as offices and event space. This application was approved in May 2025.

In July 2025, Hearth Historic Building Trust submitted a listed-building consent application (LA04/2025/1153/LBC) proposing external façade lighting to the window reveals at ground, first floor and to the arches at the top of the building.