SquaresRenew 5: 2 Royal Avenue

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Did this dome really once grace a Tesco?

The building at 2 Royal Avenue in Belfast has had a chequered history. It opened in 1869 as the Provincial Bank, then in 1996 found an unlikely new lease of life as a Tesco Metro supermarket. This lasted until 2021 when the City Council acquired it and it entered its third life as a cultural venue. We saw two interesting exhibitions there and had a good lunch. An excellent example of renewal and reconstruction.

Part of Becky’s SquaresRenew Challenge, using images from our April 2024 trip to Northern Ireland to illustrate one or more of the following:

  • Move forward
  • Reconstruct
  • Renew
  • Burgeoning
Northern Ireland, UK ,

42 Comments »

  3. Doing the weekly top up shop would be less tedious if all Tesco stores had a bit of this about them! Nice that it has been reinvented as something a little more community minded.

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  9. I don’t think we saw this beautiful building during our visit to Belfast in 2014…It probably still was a Tesco and we didn’t clue in that it was so beautiful inside. Lovely shot. (Suzanne)

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  12. Good it’s still standing even after being a supermarket. I’ve noticed quite a few Wetherspoons in various cities and towns taking over derelict buildings that may have been lost otherwise, even when listed. The main thing is being used for something productive so the roof stays intact, free from being vandalized, so that future generations enjoy it as well. Bob. BSS.

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  13. The initial reaction is that a cultural venue seems more appropriate than a supermarket. ”Goodness, me, the sky has fallen”, we may think. That said, buildings change over time and there are many wonderful pieces of architecture and reminders of our history – former banks, factories, even churches – now preserved and given second lives as pubs, restaurants – and more. At least they haven’t been bulldozed.

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    • Yes, it’s always better to see something being used rather than being left to rot until it suffers a mysterious fire. These old buildings were made to last and the decoration was incredible. The stuff they throw up now doesn’t begin to compare.

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  14. Such a beautiful building. Im glad the council turned it into a cultural centre. If not Tescos, I could imagine Wetherspoons setting up home there

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  15. What a beautiful ceiling this is and better suited to a cultural venue than a supermarket. Although it makes me smile to think of people buying their groceries and enjoying this wonderful craftsmanship at the same time.

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  16. Wow! The whole ceiling is just fabulous. Much too nice to be in a Tesco supermarket and far better suited to a cultural venue.

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  17. Hi Anabel – Tesco’s … bet they covered it up …. what an amazing place – so pleased to see it’s been restored … beautiful – cheers Hilary

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