This character area is both a maritime and an urban waterfront that is well connected to the city centre and Ulster University. Home to the oldest remaining docks in Belfast Harbour, Clarendon Dock sits south of Sailortown and is the central focal point to several commercial office buildings that encompass it.
To its north and west is good quality public realm including City Quays Gardens. The immediate public realm to the edge of the dock is poorly activated and the dock itself represents an opportunity to provide animation, activity and community use underpinned by the area’s maritime and cultural heritage. .
The docks present an opportunity to turn the public square inside out, activating the wet dock and connecting with the new City Quays Gardens. The contained nature of the historic docks, away from the navigable harbour, provides an opportunity to achieve bathing water quality standards through biofiltration and treatment at Clarendon wet dock. The introduction of floating elements would provide opportunities for iconic architectures and structures that could house a community hub, kayak clubs and floating cafés.
Sailortown and Clarendon Docks are both a maritime and an urban waterfront that is well connected to City Centre and Ulster University. The waterfront promenade can be a place of community gathering, activated public spaces, and lively water uses underpinned by the historic dry docks and cultural heritage.