Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology Main Build

The Contract is for the provision of the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT) Works to Ulster University. The project will involve the construction of a new six storey building titled “Centre for Digital Health Technology” (CDHT) which is a research and development facility (Use Class B1), comprising of laboratories, office spaces, communal meeting areas, and public realm improvements to Frederick Street.

The proposed site is located on footprint of the current Northland House building, adjacent to the existing Belfast City Centre Ulster University Campus (Block BC). The current Northland House building is located at 2-5a Fredrick Street Belfast, BT1 2NH and will be demolished prior to this appointment being made.

The proposed development maintains its strong physical and visual connection to the wider Ulster University campus, reinforcing established pedestrian routes and arrival spaces. The building’s scale and stepped massing respond sensitively to the surrounding urban context, aligning with neighbouring structures along York Street & Fredrick Street.

A refined landscape strategy has been developed to integrate the building seamlessly with its setting, including the removal of the existing boundary wall and the extension of landscaped areas into the adjacent client owned car park to create a more open, cohesive public realm. Architecturally, the design mirrors the design language of the wider Belfast Campus following a robust brick base and a refined upper façade, featuring high-quality curtain walling, natural stone panels, and glass reinforced concrete fins to enhance depth and street presence.

The six-storey front block and two-storey rear podium provide a total GIA of approximately 3,980 m². The building will be constructed primarily in reinforced concrete flat slabs on rotary bored piles socketed into rock, with localised steel framing for roof plant areas.

The substructure comprises grouped piles tied with deep pilecaps and perimeter ground beams that provide stability and support for the façade, while internal beams have been rationalised to reduce complexity and improve service coordination. CDHT is required to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating low-energy systems and climate-resilient materials are proposed throughout, to achieve a low carbon building.

PV panels are installed on the roof, and a green roof is proposed for the two-storey terrace. Further details about the CDHT construction and design can be found in the supporting documents supplied with this PQQ.

As of the time of writing, Q4 2025, the project is expecting a planning decision imminently. Planning was submitted in March 2025 and to date has received no objection from the consultee panel.

Further details of the planning application can be found here: Northern Ireland Public Register. The planning application reference is LA04/2025/0477/F).

The University is using Develop and Construct as the project delivery methodology under the Contract. This tender notice is for the award of a public contract through a competitive flexible procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023.