Another project completed by John Smylie of Place Lab architects in Belfast, Saint Anne’s Square in the city represents urban regeneration at its very finest, fusing heritage with a forward-looking vision to produce a multi award-winning scheme.  John says: “This is an external view of a Pizza Express at Saint Anne’s Square, which we guided home for the owner of the centre, Ducales Limited. We got the photo commissioned to be taken on Culture Night when there were lots of people in the Square. I designed the Square, including apartments, hotel, restaurants and piazza, in 2008 and it was all completed in 2010/11.  I thought it would be interesting to show how the external space to a restaurant can positively contribute to place-making. I think it worked – the scheme won ‘Best Regeneration Project in Belfast’ (Belfast Business Awards), ‘Best Regeneration Project in Northern Ireland’ (RICS Awards) and ‘Best Regeneration Project in the UK’ (RTPI Awards).”

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