News Story

All options are being explored for a listed building on the Stormont estate.

Built in the early 1960s Dundonald House once housed the headquarters of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the Department of Agriculture, but is described as largely vacated since June 2023 because of health and safety concerns.

The tower blocks, close to the Stoney Road entrance of the estate, currently have category B+ listed status as an example of the 1960s International Style.

Last week a Stormont committee heard it would cost more than £100 million to make the building usable again.

During questions for the Finance Minister at nearby Parliament Buildings on Monday, DUP East Belfast MLA David Brooks queried the cost of renovating the property, describing a significant site in the Stormont estate and his constituency.

John O’Dowd responded, describing an “outdated building”, and said all options are being looked at.

“The amount of money required to turn that building into a modern, fit for purpose facility is at that scale and I do not think it is affordable or wise to use it at this time,” he told MLAs.

“I understand there is ongoing engagement with the Department for Communities around the listing of the building. We’re looking at all options in relation to that building.

“I’m not sure what benefit it is to the citizens of east Belfast at this time, I suspect if I was to invest £100 million in housing, it would be a much better use for it, or into crumbling education estate or the health estate, it would be a much better use.”