The brief for this project:
The design and finish of the new ground and 1st floor extension had to reflect the theme of the existing bar and it was the task of designer, Michael McKervey of Fresh Interior Design to demonstrate his skills and talent to seamlessly merge the old with the new.
Showcasing the history of not only the Cathedral Quarter,but of Belfast was of the utmost importance to the client-Mr Willie Jack who sourced various artefacts that are now proudly on display in many of his bars. The existing Harp Bar features an old cash desk as an upstairs bar counter, which was rescued from St James’ Gate Guinness brewery in Dublin and also features a lamp which stood outside the Ulster Tavern – a Chichester Street pub bombed in the 1980s.
The stunning Horse Shoe Bar featured on the new 1st first floor, proudly displays reclaimed wall panelling from the RMS Walmer Castle passenger ship built in Harland and Wolff shipyard in 1902. A reclaimed stained glass window, salvaged from Belfast City Centre’s last ‘Ballroom of Romance’, the art deco Orpheus Building on York St from the ballroom, is also a centre piece of the Bar.
The Ground Floor Bar features original maple-sprung flooring salvaged from Belfast City Centre’s last ‘Ballroom of Romance’, the art deco Orpheus Building on York St. and a feature of the new ground floor bar is the bespoke, mosaic floor art, originally taken from the Orpheus Building and recreated by a specially sourced mosaic artist, as homage to the Orpheus.
