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 bus centre 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 7500m2 station concourse, over 10 times larger than the facilities it replaces, with a further 2000m2 of retail. Beyond transport, Grand Central Station is intended to act as a prime location for people to meet, shop, dine and socialise.

Located on a nine-hectare 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 termini. 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 1970s. 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 intuitive. 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 minimise 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.

Ross Harrison, Associate Director at John McAslan + Partners' Belfast design studio, says: “Designed to cater for bus and rail travel under one roof, our collaboration on Belfast Grand Central Station with Arup for Translink has delivered a customer-centred station on time, a real achievement for transport projects. More than that, it delivers a civic function – providing a forward-looking first impression of Belfast that is symbolic of the changing direction of the city. Globally, modern public transport hubs are increasingly used in this way, and it is timely that Belfast should unveil this gateway on the cusp of Ireland’s wider rail review.”

Colin Bennie, Director of Transport and Infrastructure at John McAslan + Partners, adds: “Over the years, our practice has worked on a number of major transport projects in London, Sydney and New York. We’re delighted to build on this experience in Belfast and are excited to see how transport architecture is increasingly considered the defining feature of a modern city that works for everyone. This is certainly what we have sought to achieve for Belfast Grand Central Station.”

Chris Caves, Director at Arup, comments: “The opening of the bus element at Belfast Grand Central Station is a key milestone for Northern Ireland. This state-of-the-art public transport hub will not only enhance connectivity across the region but also drive sustainable growth for the local economy. It’s a proud moment for all involved, and we’re thrilled to have played such a significant part in this flagship project, from the outset, in delivering such a transformative piece of infrastructure.”

Chris Conway, Translink's CEO, concludes: “We are excited to be opening this modern major transport interchange this week.  With advanced customer features and integrated networks, it offers a huge opportunity to grow public transport, driving economic development across the region and playing a major part in tackling the climate emergency. That means a better-connected future for people and communities for generations to come. I would like to thank the minister and his department for the funding and the wider NI executive for their support in designating this as a flagship project. I would also like to thank the Translink team and the contractors for their commitment and dedication to get this project to this key stage.”