The fabric of the city transformed as Belfast opens its new Grand Central Station, a major new civic landmark for the capital city.
Belfast Grand Central Station has welcomed its first passengers with bus services now operating from the new multi-modal terminus, set to be the largest integrated transport facility on the the island of Ireland when the rail platforms open later this month. The station sets a new standard for the forthcoming renewal of public transport infrastructure and connectivity across the island.
The integrated transport hub has been designed by John McAslan + Partners Belfast Design Studio in collaboration with Arup and Juno for Translink as part of Belfast’s ongoing urban regeneration, providing not only state-of-the-art transit facilities but also a welcoming new front door to the city.
Inspired by the city’s rich industrial heritage, Belfast Grand Central Station has replaced the current facilities at Europa buscentre and Great Victoria Street railway stations and is expected to cater for around 20 million passenger journeys annually with flexibility for future growth. Configured around a 7,500 sq m station concourse, over 10 times larger than the facilities it replaces, with a further 2,000 sq m of retail. Beyond transport,Grand Central Station is intended to act as an prime location for people to meet, shop, dine and socialise.
Located on a 9ha site of former railway yards, and bounded by Durham Street and Grosvenor Road, the expressed portalised design evokes engineering-led structures which typify railway architecture such as repeating gantries and the scale of Victorian railway terminii. It is arranged around an efficient step-free, single level with bus operations to one side, and rail platforms on the other.
The station’s design also draws inspiration from the former linen mills that characterised the development of the local area, echoing the oversized, repeating forms of industrial architecture with a striking, exaggerated sawtooth roof and exposed truss structure reminiscent of the original Great Victoria Street station that was demolished in the 1970’s. Large glazed northlights span the unified amenities and introduce natural light to the concourse below.
An architecturally impactful colonnade wraps around the front facing elevations, with a dramatic swept soffit signifying the entrances to the station and welcoming passengers. At night, the soffit is washed with light, illuminating the station and further animating the surrounding public realm. The main entrance will be via Saltwater Square when it opens next year.
Inside, column numbers have been kept to a minimum, with large truss spans to create an experience of openness with clear sightlines, making wayfinding inutitive. The Translink bus and rail operations, both back-of-house and public facing, are brought together around a central spine and lined with glazed panels and richly polished plaster, activating its perimeter with passenger facilities including retail, restrooms and a customer support office.
Sustainability has been an integral part of the design throughout. Passive ventilation and considered orientation minimises transport fumes within the station with actuated louvres incorporated strategically to exhaust while providing comfortable interior conditions. The southerly aspect of the sawtooth roof supports photovoltaic panels and provision has been built-in for any further electrification of the transport network. Wherever possible local materials have been  sourced to minimise carbon mileage with the superstructure fabricated less than 20 miles from the site.
