30-07-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Sponsoring a category celebrating best in design and innovation perfect synergy for Gateley
Despite economic challenges like planning delays and rising construction costs, the region's property market has shown remarkable resilience in the last year. Belfast is seeing a surge in commercial occupier demand, supported by initiatives like the £1m Vacant to Vibrant grant scheme. Major retailers such as Bershka, Mango, and LEGO have also committed to opening new stores, contributing to a retail revival.
According to the quarter one 2025 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) commercial property monitor, demand for office, industrial and logistics space is rising. Flexible working trends are fuelling serviced offices, with developments like the £60m City Quays 5 — a nine-storey, 160,000 sq ft mixed-use sustainable building with office, retail and hospitality space — receiving planning approval.
Alongside commercial property developments, the region's housing market has experienced a continued period of growth so far this year, with an increase in house prices, mortgage approvals and sales volumes. Lower interest rates are also thought to be contributing to the positive momentum. Additionally, Belfast's first major build-to-rent scheme, Loftlines, will deliver 778 sustainable homes in the Titanic Quarter in 2026. Belfast City Council is also partnering with developers to deliver around £630m worth of mixed-tenure housing across central sites.
Aubrey Calderwood, managing director of Gateley Capitus, the specialist tax consultancy arm of Gateley advising businesses on property tax incentives, said: 'The Northern Ireland property sector continues to be active, thanks to the resilience of developers, increased interest from inward investors and support from the council.
'This has been supported by the city's hotels market beginning to thrive again, with record occupancy rates and new boutique and aparthotel developments planned.
'The purpose-built student accommodation sector is also expanding, driven by the growing student population and recent investments in local universities.'
Gateley's property offering combines the expertise of legal professionals with the technical skills of its complementary consultancy businesses under one roof to provide full-service solutions for the property and construction sectors.
Its team of lawyers, tax specialists, surveyors, architects and engineers provide support throughout the entire property lifecycle from initial investment and planning through to development, management and disposal.
Alison Reid, real estate partner and Belfast office head at Gateley, said: 'We are thrilled to support the Belfast Telegraph Property Awards 2025.
'Our comprehensive property offering sees our team of legal experts working alongside our property and construction consultancies — including Gateley Capitus and Gateley Smithers Purslow — to provide full-service and forward-thinking advice to Northern Ireland's investors, developers and occupiers on a wide range of property, construction and regeneration matters.
'So, supporting the Developer of the Year category, which celebrates the standout property developers delivering best-in-class design and innovation, is a perfect synergy.'
