City Quays Garden opens as part of Belfast’s waterfront regeneration, designed by international landscape architects Gillespies. 

The 2-acre garden opens as the centrepiece of Belfast’ Harbour’s City Quays development, reimagining the city’s docklands. 

The biodiverse garden has been transformed from an underused car park, with 89 new trees and integrated rain gardens with seasonal planting that help manage storm water on-site. 

Featuring open lawns with amphitheatre-style seating, picnic areas, the garden offers a space for local residents, workers and visitors. 

Graeme Johnston, Belfast Harbour’s property and place director, comments:

“Our vision for the Gardens was to create a vibrant green space to transform the public area around the City Quays development and better connect the Harbour Estate to our neighbouring communities.” 

The ‘Gateway Nest’ structural pavilion stands at the centre of the garden, featuring lighting to aid wayfinding. 

The waterfront regeneration project marks the first public space in Northern Irelands to achieve One Planet Living recognition.