TI
The building is an eyesore in a part of Belfast that could do with much needed new housing. No point keeping a Such an ugly building for sentimental and nostalgic reasons.
And there’s no market for ‘independent productions’ to use any of these studios. There are various empty studios sitting around Belfast waiting to be used already.
Havelock House currently has three television studios still there I presume, just closed up. Studio 1 at 2,500 Sq Ft, Studio 2 at 1,600 Sq Ft and a smaller 1,000 Sq Ft studio - couldn't they be refurbished and used by independent productions, keep the building and use part of it for television, and the rest converted into apartments, like they did on a much larger scale at Television Centre in London.
The building is an eyesore in a part of Belfast that could do with much needed new housing. No point keeping a Such an ugly building for sentimental and nostalgic reasons.
And there’s no market for ‘independent productions’ to use any of these studios. There are various empty studios sitting around Belfast waiting to be used already.
JK
They are filled with the spirit of Gerry Kelly, May McFettridge, Nuala McKeever, Gordon Burns, David Dunseith, and many more. And yes, I do know four out of those five are alive.
These television studios just seem to have a way fighting back.
They are filled with the spirit of Gerry Kelly, May McFettridge, Nuala McKeever, Gordon Burns, David Dunseith, and many more. And yes, I do know four out of those five are alive.
KE
It's a much nicer building than a lot of modern monstrosities, and the older part of the building could be retained and sympathetically refurbished to make it less of an "eyesore", to make it into a more attractive residential building, such as the removal of the modern entrance and replacement with something more in keeping, removal/repositioning of the security lights/cameras, repainting in a more neutral colour scheme, removal of the external shutters from the windows, new windows (similar to the original wooden sash windows), etc.
The building is an eyesore in a part of Belfast that could do with much needed new housing. No point keeping a Such an ugly building for sentimental and nostalgic reasons.
It's a much nicer building than a lot of modern monstrosities, and the older part of the building could be retained and sympathetically refurbished to make it less of an "eyesore", to make it into a more attractive residential building, such as the removal of the modern entrance and replacement with something more in keeping, removal/repositioning of the security lights/cameras, repainting in a more neutral colour scheme, removal of the external shutters from the windows, new windows (similar to the original wooden sash windows), etc.
DM
I've seen Havelock House a few times when I've been up in Belfast. There was a side entrance opened to what looked to be a studio one day and I wanted to have a look but was afraid incase I was seen to be trespassing. I always wanted a look around the place even though there isn't anything in it now but I can't see it happening.
IS
Because that's where the fancy new developments are built. Water's pretty innit?
Why are all the new studios called Quays and basins, this obsession with water 
Because that's where the fancy new developments are built. Water's pretty innit?
MA
Because that's where the fancy new developments are built. Water's pretty innit?
It could also be used as a heat source for heat source heat* pumps, in the new boilerless world we are supposed to be living in by 2030.
*I can't think of a way to avoid using the word heat three times in the same sentence
Why are all the new studios called Quays and basins, this obsession with water
Because that's where the fancy new developments are built. Water's pretty innit?
It could also be used as a heat source for heat source heat* pumps, in the new boilerless world we are supposed to be living in by 2030.
*I can't think of a way to avoid using the word heat three times in the same sentence
KG
I am involved in the campaign to save Havelock House and someone pointed me to this thread. I just wanted to make a few observations.
We are not motivated by nostalgia but a desire to preserve a historic building which dates back to 1871. It is the last survivor among the UK's early regional TV centres, retaining its original studios and substantial portions of its original fabric. It also played an important role in the development of the ITV network as the headquarters of its first small company.
In terms of its appearance, you definitely aren't seeing it at its best. There's ornate brickwork and cut stonework beneath the plaster render which UTV applied in 1959. But we've been advised that this can be restored. We'd also be keen to see the bricked up windows on the ground floor reinstated.
Regarding future use, I don't think that residential use is a realistic proposition. During the planning process, it turned out that the site is on a sensitive 'interface' between the two local communities. Its boundary even includes a miniature 'peace wall'. We've been advised that something either cultural or community-focused would be a less contentious option.
The building is an eyesore in a part of Belfast that could do with much needed new housing. No point keeping a Such an ugly building for sentimental and nostalgic reasons.
We are not motivated by nostalgia but a desire to preserve a historic building which dates back to 1871. It is the last survivor among the UK's early regional TV centres, retaining its original studios and substantial portions of its original fabric. It also played an important role in the development of the ITV network as the headquarters of its first small company.
In terms of its appearance, you definitely aren't seeing it at its best. There's ornate brickwork and cut stonework beneath the plaster render which UTV applied in 1959. But we've been advised that this can be restored. We'd also be keen to see the bricked up windows on the ground floor reinstated.
Regarding future use, I don't think that residential use is a realistic proposition. During the planning process, it turned out that the site is on a sensitive 'interface' between the two local communities. Its boundary even includes a miniature 'peace wall'. We've been advised that something either cultural or community-focused would be a less contentious option.
JO
I found this an interesting post. I don’t know much about the building, or indeed very much about UTV. Are there historical photos available of the building?
I am involved in the campaign to save Havelock House and someone pointed me to this thread. I just wanted to make a few observations.
We are not motivated by nostalgia but a desire to preserve a historic building which dates back to 1871. It is the last survivor among the UK's early regional TV centres, retaining its original studios and substantial portions of its original fabric. It also played an important role in the development of the ITV network as the headquarters of its first small company.
In terms of its appearance, you definitely aren't seeing it at its best. There's ornate brickwork and cut stonework beneath the plaster render which UTV applied in 1959. But we've been advised that this can be restored. We'd also be keen to see the bricked up windows on the ground floor reinstated.
Regarding future use, I don't think that residential use is a realistic proposition. During the planning process, it turned out that the site is on a sensitive 'interface' between the two local communities. Its boundary even includes a miniature 'peace wall'. We've been advised that something either cultural or community-focused would be a less contentious option.
The building is an eyesore in a part of Belfast that could do with much needed new housing. No point keeping a Such an ugly building for sentimental and nostalgic reasons.
We are not motivated by nostalgia but a desire to preserve a historic building which dates back to 1871. It is the last survivor among the UK's early regional TV centres, retaining its original studios and substantial portions of its original fabric. It also played an important role in the development of the ITV network as the headquarters of its first small company.
In terms of its appearance, you definitely aren't seeing it at its best. There's ornate brickwork and cut stonework beneath the plaster render which UTV applied in 1959. But we've been advised that this can be restored. We'd also be keen to see the bricked up windows on the ground floor reinstated.
Regarding future use, I don't think that residential use is a realistic proposition. During the planning process, it turned out that the site is on a sensitive 'interface' between the two local communities. Its boundary even includes a miniature 'peace wall'. We've been advised that something either cultural or community-focused would be a less contentious option.
I found this an interesting post. I don’t know much about the building, or indeed very much about UTV. Are there historical photos available of the building?
KE
There's an old photo here, in an article posted yesterday about the Save Havelock House campaign
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/save-havelock-house-group-wants-it-listed-for-150th-anniversary-39763430.html
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/save-havelock-house-group-wants-it-listed-for-150th-anniversary-39763430.html