Belfast hotel will create up to 180 jobs
A new £12m hotel opposite Belfast City Hall is to create up to 180 full and part-time jobs.
The former Scottish Mutual building was bought by the hotel group Tullymore House. They also own the Galgorm Resort and Spa in County Antrim.
The Grade B1 listed building will house 40 hotel rooms and 10 serviced apartments as well as two restaurants and bars.
It is estimated the hotel will be completed by 2015.
The building was sold by the Irish government's National Asset Management Agency (Nama) with an asking price of £1.75m.
In May, it emerged the group made pre-tax profits of £2.3m in 2012, up by £300,000 on 2011.
Turnover at Tullymore House Ltd also rose, from £9.5m to almost £11m.
The hotel's main entrance will be on Donegall Square South.
Colin Johnston, project manager, said: "This truly magnificent, iconic city centre building has all the key ingredients - location, beauty, space and heritage - for a welcome and sympathetic restoration into a luxury, boutique hotel."