About
Riddel's Warehouse, designed by Thomas Jackson and built in 1867 is an excellent surviving example of Victorian industrial architecture and is rare to Belfast due to its intact state.
This unique grade B+ listed building with an exceptional five-storey galleried, glaze-roofed atrium originally operated as an Ironmongery wholesale warehouse in the centre of Belfast, and its survival has given us a living connection to the city’s industrial past.
Northern Ireland, and particularly Belfast, was the industrial centre of Ireland in the 19th century. The sense of place invoked by the building embodies the essence Belfast and makes up part of its character as a Victorian city built on the back of the industrial revolution and the people who were part of it, whether that be shipbuilding, rope making or the linin mills to name just a few. The industrial revolution shaped Belfast as we know it today and Riddel’s Warehouse provides an authentic and tangible link to the past, and historically, Belfast’s place in the world as a centre of innovation and engineering. Over 150 years of use are embedded in the historic fabric and patina of the building.
Hearth Historic Building Trust is the longest established and most active building preservation trust in Northern Ireland and our mission is to rescue and restore historic buildings at risk for the enjoyment and benefit of all. We have recently received a generous grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards developing the plans to carefully conserve and regenerate this vacant property as a centre for the creative industry, providing the people of Belfast with accessible, inclusive and flexible performance space, exhibition space and co-working, collaborative space above. It will be a living connection to the city’s industrial past and offer an environment to inspire the creative industry of the future.
The vision is for Riddel’s Warehouse to be both a celebration of Belfast’s industrial past and also a place to look ahead and learn about what making and creating looks like in the 21st Century.
On European Heritage Open Day we look forward to welcoming visitors to join us at Riddel’s Warehouse for 30-40 minute guided tours of the building, to learn about its history and its future. This is an exciting opportunity to get inside an exceptional surviving industrial heritage building which has had its doors closed to the public for 50 years. We will also be welcoming ideas and feedback from visitors, to have their say as to how they would like to see happen as part of the building redevelopment and how we can endeavour to meet the needs of the community.
25 max per session, Contact info@hearthni.org.uk for bookings.
Book Tickets
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| EHOD | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
