Belfast Stories (James Grieve Architects)

Commissioned by James Grieve Architects, this comprehensive historical research report examined the evolution of the Belfast Stories site at the junction of North Street and Royal Avenue, providing the historical evidence base to support one of Belfast's most significant cultural regeneration projects. Through extensive archival research - including historic maps, street directories, valuation records, newspapers and a wide range of primary and secondary sources - the report traced more than four centuries of the site's development from its origins beyond Belfast's seventeenth-century town walls to its place within the modern city.

Rather than simply documenting the changing built environment, the report explored the people, industries and events that shaped the site, revealing its connections to Belfast's commercial growth, industrialisation, social history and architectural development. By identifying key historical themes and interpreting complex archival material in an accessible format, the report provided a robust historical framework to inform future conservation, interpretation and storytelling, ensuring that the site's rich heritage could play a central role in the vision for Belfast Stories.