The Ann, a £50 million luxury hotel in Belfast on the bar where Taylor Swift spent an evening in 2021

On Ann Street, in the heart of Belfast, the site of The Tipsy Bird bar is set to make way for The Ann, a luxury hotel of around 150 rooms costed at £50 million. The first image of the project was unveiled on 29 October 2026 by its developers, Glendola Leisure Group and Carlton Collection. No opening date has been announced, and the public will be able to view the plans on 24 November.

£50 million for a new hotel on Ann Street

The project brings together Glendola Leisure Group and Carlton Collection, the latter a British family-run hotel group founded in 1973 by Peter Salussolia. The two partners bought the site in February 2019. Alex Salussolia, managing director of Glendola Leisure Group, is now leading a revised version of the scheme first presented in 2024.

Jamison and Green, a listed store empty since 2015

The site takes in The Tipsy Bird bar at 90-100 Ann Street, the courtyard behind it and the listed Jamison and Green building, a former hardware store dating from the early 20th century, empty since it closed in 2015. It will be restored, and an open courtyard will link Ann Street with Donegall Quay. The 2024 scheme had 145 rooms, a champagne bar and a fine-dining restaurant, plans that have since been reworked.

A rooftop, a spa and a courtyard to the quay

The announced line-up puts a restaurant, a bar and a viewing platform on the roof, with an events space on the same level. Further restaurants and bars, a gym and a spa complete the picture. According to the developers, The Ann has been selected to become the first Northern Irish member of Design Hotels, the collection of independent hotels affiliated with Marriott International, which has not commented publicly. Rates have not yet been published.

Taylor Swift at The Tipsy Bird, one night in 2021

The link with Taylor Swift comes down to a single evening, Friday 10 September 2021, which the singer spent at The Tipsy Bird during a set by musician Tiernán Heffron. Three days later, the bar posted a photo of the singer with her team. No other visit is on record.

See the plans on 24 November at The Tipsy Bird

A new Proposal of Application Notice has been lodged with Belfast City Council. A drop-in public consultation will be held at The Tipsy Bird on Tuesday 24 November 2026, from 3pm to 7pm, ahead of the full planning application due in early 2027. Elsewhere in the UK, keep an eye on the transformation of the London Bridge Hotel and the reopening of the Elysium Windermere, or cross the border with the Cashel Palace hotel in Ireland.