Havelock House

150 Years of History. One building. Many identities.

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Havelock House, located on Belfast's Lower Ormeau Road, was originally built in 1871. It later became the home of Ulster Television (UTV) from 1959 to 2018. 

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Since its construction, Havelock House has seen many uses. As well as a television centre, it's been a linen warehouse, troop accommodation and a goods showroom among other things.

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It also made a major contribution to the history of the adjacent Belfast Gasworks complex, particularly the now-listed Klondyke building.

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As a television centre, Havelock House was one of the most important cultural sites in Northern Ireland during the late 20th century.

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Programmes made there included Midnight Oil, the ancestor of the Open University, With A Fiddle And A Flute, the world's first Irish music TV series, and popular local series such as Teatime with Tommy and Romper Room.

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Despite its history and cultural significance, Havelock House is not a listed building. In 2018, it was sold to London-based developer Olympian Homes who wants to demolish it and build an apartment block in its place.

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Olympian's initial proposal for the site was rejected by Belfast City Council in November 2020. This refusal was upheld by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) in October 2021.

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Olympian began a public consultation for a revised development, still involving the demolition of Havelock House, in May 2022.

 

The company has also repeatedly threatened to demolish the building before it submits its revised planning application. It is entitled to do so because, under Northern Ireland law, historic buildings can be demolished without planning permission.

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