The 1931-era Art Deco-styled former Bank of Ireland building is scheduled to reopen as Belfast Stories in 2029.

Belfast City Council, with assistance from the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba), held a 12-month competition that resulted in the appointment of an integrated design team for the project.

The appointment represents a collaboration between Belfast-based TODD Architects and Oslo-based Snohetta.

With the assistance of a group of experts, they will take the lead on design, while Gleeds, a property and construction company, will supervise project management and design assurance.

The chosen consortium will turn the 5,000 square metre site into a cutting-edge, interactive, and immersive visitor experience that celebrates Belfast's stories and offers lively social spaces for visitors to enjoy. This project is the centrepiece of the £850 million Belfast Region City Deal.

Additionally, the site aims to become the best example of a climate-resilient building in the city, contributing to Belfast's ranking as one of the world's top 10 sustainable cities by the 2022 Global Destinations Sustainability Index.

Ryan Murphy, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, called it a “significant milestone.”

He remarked, “We're thankful to everyone who participated in the international design competition for helping us to draw in the best talent to match our ambitions for this special destination.”

“Belfast Stories will revitalise this area of the city centre and convert a beloved heritage landmark. It will also serve as a dynamic hub for people to gather and celebrate Belfast's distinct identity, both locally and globally.

“As the selected team decides on a design that incorporates local contributions, we look forward to inviting residents to support this exceptional opportunity.”

The structure and surrounding area “have the potential to become a bold architectural statement that Belfast can be proud of,” according to Robert Greenwood, partner, and director of Snohetta.

He said, “We recognise how great architecture can deliver community benefits and have lasting cultural impact, but we also share Belfast City Council's vision and together we offer the insight and experience to create a space that will improve the vibrancy and aesthetic of this part of the city.”

The initiative has the potential to “revitalize the city centre and contribute to the ongoing transformation of the city,” according to John McGrillen, chief executive of Tourism NI.

"The entrance to the area is in Belfast. The success of the tourism business in Northern Ireland depends on drawing tourists to this real and energetic city, he stated.

We are a nation of stories and sharing our "giant spirit" with the countless visitors to our country is at the heart of our experience brand.

“Belfast Stories seeks to highlight this quality and develop a top-notch attraction that will enable tourists to discover and comprehend Belfast and Northern Ireland via the real-life experiences of our people.”

Belfast Stories will also serve as the hub of the film industry, housing Northern Ireland Screen's digital film library and serving as a base for groups involved in the film business.

“It's wonderful that the appointed design team understands how important it is that Belfast Stories prioritises the power of screen,” continued Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen.

“Belfast's story is intricate, multifaceted, and captivating, but most importantly, it is still being written. As such, the region has the chance to continue establishing its legacy on screen by having a dedicated, vibrant space to explore real-life local stories and advance industry skills concurrently.”