Bank of America has leased the remaining available office space at Belfast Harbour’s City Quays 3 development, bringing the flagship waterfront office building to full occupancy.
The US financial services giant has agreed to take the final four-and-a-half floors of the Grade A office development, totalling 58,000 sq ft, while also securing 23,000 sq ft of serviced office accommodation in the neighbouring City Quays 1 building during the fit-out of its new premises.
Completion of the lease means all 15 office floors at City Quays 3 are now occupied, with Bank of America joining a roster of international businesses including TP ICAP, Aflac, Bauer Media and Santander.
The building was completed in 2022 following a £50 million investment and provides Grade A office accommodation overlooking Belfast Harbour. It holds a BREEAM Excellent sustainability rating.
Belfast Harbour Chief Executive Joe O’Neill said the agreement marked another milestone for the waterfront regeneration project.
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“We’re delighted that Bank of America has chosen City Quays 3 as their base in Northern Ireland, and that we have been able to assist them in their employment ramp up through the provision of serviced office space in the adjoining City Quays 1 office,” he said.
With City Quays 3 now standing fully let, our community is thriving, and it is clear that our Grade A facilities with excellent ESG credentials, supported by our dedicated Belfast Harbour Police service, is an attractive proposition for large blue-chip organisations,” O’Neill added.
Expansion and future plans
O’Neill said Belfast Harbour remained committed to attracting further foreign direct investment through its long-term development plans, which include future phases at City Quays and wider investment across the harbour estate.
Bank of America said the new offices would support its continued expansion in Northern Ireland.
Patty Clement, Global Anti-Money Laundering Operations Executive at Bank of America, said: “The offices at City Quays 3 will provide a strong base for our Northern Ireland operation. Belfast is an important hub for our business, and this investment reflects our confidence in the region’s exceptional talent, strong skills base and long-term potential.”
She added: “We remain committed to responsible growth as we continue to invest in our people, strengthen our presence and contribute to the local economy and community.”
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The wider City Quays development also includes retail and hospitality outlets, the AC by Marriott hotel, landscaped public spaces and multi-storey parking.
Bank of America’s move into the building adds to the growing commercial footprint on the site, which is part of a broader regeneration effort that extends to other nearby developments like the Clarendon Wharf residential project.
The announcement comes as Belfast Harbour progresses its long-term regeneration plans under its recently unveiled 2050 Masterplan, which includes £1.3bn of planned investment in port infrastructure and a further £500m to £750m in property development, subject to commercial partnerships.
Planning permission has already been secured for the City Quays 4 residential scheme and the mixed-use City Quays 5 office development.
Lambert Smith Hampton advised Belfast Harbour on the transaction, while CBRE NI acted for Bank of America.
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