A Belfast based hotel and leisure group has taken over a city centre site as part of a £8.75 million deal. Andras House has completed the acquisition of Travelodge on Brunswick Street.
Andras House is a property development and hospitality company with over 1,300 guest rooms across 12 hotels and apartment properties including the Crowne Plaza, Hampton by Hilton, and Holiday Inn hotels in Belfast. Established in 1981, the business has an extensive portfolio of office, hotel and leisure developments.
The company has purchased the 90-room hotel from Tifco Hotels Group, which operates the franchise for Travelodge in Ireland, and becomes the only franchise Travelodge operator in Northern Ireland. Significant investment in a refurbishment of the property is now planned, in line with Travelodge’s programme of upgrades across its UK estate.
Read more: Belfast city centre to get new play park, event space and urban forest
Read more: Belfast cyclists hit out at 'hidden' consultation on taxis in bus lanes
The building on Brunswick Street in the centre of the city was originally built by Andras House in 1991 and operated as The Belfast Plaza and then as a Holiday Inn before being bought by Travelodge in the mid-1990s.
Rajesh Rana, Director of Andras House, said: “We are pleased to add this well-placed asset in the heart of Belfast city centre to our portfolio. Travelodge is a strong brand at the budget end of the UK market which people recognise and understand, and we are delighted to be its franchise operator in Northern Ireland. It is a vote of confidence in Andras House’s expertise and experience."
The acquisition deal was supported by Danske Bank. Paul Currid, Corporate Banking Manager at Danske Bank, said: “Andras House is one of Northern Ireland’s most successful hospitality businesses and Danske Bank has supported it with funding for a number of significant transactions in recent years. We were pleased to be able to play a part in enabling the company to complete its latest investment.
“The acquisition of the Travelodge complements the other brands the company operates in the local hotel market and positions the business for further growth as leisure and business tourism continue to gain momentum in Northern Ireland.”
This summer, Andras House is also scheduled to open The Marcus Portrush, part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, ahead of The Open golf tournament returning to Northern Ireland for only the second time in 70 years.
The business is also set to start work on turning Dorchester House on Great Victoria Street into a 136-bedroom Adagio Aparthotel in February and plans to lodge a planning application for a 165-bedroom Yotel in Shaftesbury Square soon. In 2024 Danske Bank also funded Andras House’s acquisition of the ETAP Hotel on the Dublin Road in Belfast from CBRE.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·