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Former Army post at Divis Tower gets £1m transformation

Tuesday, 20 January 2009

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They once provided shelter and an eagle eye view for soldiers stationed in the heart of west Belfast.

Now the top two floors of the landmark Divis Tower apartment block have been transformed into residential accommodation thanks to a £1.1m refurbishment programme.

The 18th and 19th floors of the tower block, located in the Falls Road area, were for over thirty years used as an observation post by British soldiers to monitor the activity of paramilitaries. At the height of the Troubles, the army was only able to access the post by helicopter.

The floors have now been reinstated for use as social housing.

Housing Executive Chief Executive Paddy McIntyre yesterday unveiled the high level improvements, which included the provision of new kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, windows and internal doors.

The refurbishments also created a new roof structure, as well as extensive landscaping and a new community garden being provided for residents.

Lifts have been upgraded to accommodate the newly refurbished 18th and 19th floors as well as general improvements to internal hallways, lobbies, and stairways.

“The history of Divis Tower has been well documented so it’s good to be here today to see at first hand the benefits of this latest scheme — particularly the 18th and 19th floors which were out of our ownership for around 20 years,” said Paddy McIntyre.

“The tower is entering a new era and the improvements will ensure that it remains a very popular place to live. With the reinstatement of the 18th and 19th floors we had the added bonus of an extra eight flats for people on the waiting list for the area.”

Long term resident and member of the West Belfast Housing Community Network John Leathem said: “I’ve lived in Divis Tower for almost 20 years and I really love it. Not only is it one of west Belfast’s most prominent landmarks but residents enjoy some of the best views in Belfast.”

The tower featured as a backdrop to much of the violence which took place during the Troubles, and witnessed several deaths.

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21 Comments

whataboutery? this word i dont understand any way gary you clearly dont listen to the points in hand your way or no way good Debating glad you dont run our parliament

Posted by peter | 22.01.09, 16:04 GMT

Still nothing to do with the story and a quite deliberate attempt to divert. Both sides should disarm, end of. My original post still stands even after all the whataboutery from Peter and Armagh Bhoy.

Posted by Gary | 21.01.09, 17:31 GMT

both sides shouldnt have arms true but at least the ira made the first step to having a peaceful country.
i dont beleave all arms were dumped but the main thing is there are no longer being used.

the point i was trying to make gary was that you were trying to say the loyalists were trying to show normality by painting over murals but im saying where is the public interest in peace and normality when they still hold all their arms.

Murals should still be about to tell the story of what happened to the people of n.ireland

Posted by peter | 21.01.09, 17:00 GMT

Armagh Bhoy, I suspect you're correct when you say loyalists have still not handed over arms.

But which is worse: loyalists not handing over arms OR republicans saying that they have handed over arms and having extensive media and press coverage in an attempt to back this up - when clearly, they haven't?

Neither "side" should be armed. Do you agree or disagree?

Posted by mickey | 21.01.09, 15:03 GMT

Gary,

Peter is just putting the point across that why should they paint over the Murals and "Take the lead from Loyalism" when "Loyalists" still havent givin up their arms??

Posted by Armagh Bhoy | 21.01.09, 11:55 GMT

Peter its Gary. They are not my thugs. Thank you very much. Nice whataboutery by the way. I agree Loyalism should give up arms.....so tell me whats that got to do with this story and cleaning up the Divis and making it a better place for all to live in?

Posted by Gary | 21.01.09, 09:39 GMT

"Take the lead from Loyalism and paint over them with cultural and sporting murals connected with the catholic and nationalist community rather than thugs who murdered innocent protestants and catholics"

garay how about your thugs follow the lead and give up your arms thats the way forward not painting over murals

Posted by peter | 20.01.09, 18:54 GMT

i wouldn't worry about Tom, Roo he is a bitter and twisted and should be ignored

Posted by Bored | 20.01.09, 14:42 GMT

Night Night Tom!

Posted by roo | 20.01.09, 14:14 GMT

Roo you are indeed a confused person and that is not your fault. You have placed a comment calling yourself Richard aswell, don't despair though.

Posted by Tom | 20.01.09, 13:58 GMT

Thank you Richard!

Posted by roo | 20.01.09, 13:44 GMT

Tom, I don't think Roo seems confused at all. She merely stated that the area where the flats are located is not very nice. Stop trying to make her look foolish by trying to be more clever than you are.

Posted by Richard | 20.01.09, 13:26 GMT

Tom - dont know what is so confusing! my first post states the area is a horrible place i.e. Divis - which the article is about! By agreeing with me by saying Belfast is a horrible place seems to infer I said I dont like ANY area in Belfast! Not so - Divis and Divis only is what I am disliking!

Posted by roo | 20.01.09, 13:17 GMT

The towers are a bit of a place apart, there is a strong sense of community among the residents and despite them being old and for some periods quite run down they are very popular among West Belfast residents.
The area they are situated in has had social problems like car crime in the past, but I think it's quite stable now.
I worked for a long time in social housing and was initially surprised at the popularity of the towers, but as I said, it's the people that make it a good place to live.

Posted by Don Anderson | 20.01.09, 12:45 GMT

yea thats what i was agreeing with- that part is pretty bad

Posted by Neill | 20.01.09, 12:34 GMT

roo not too sure what you're talking about!! You seem very confused.

Posted by Tom | 20.01.09, 12:08 GMT

They would do well to get rid of those offensive portraits of republican murderers too. Take the lead from Loyalism and paint over them with cultural and sporting murals connected with the catholic and nationalist community rather than thugs who murdered innocent protestants and catholics. Or better still level those unsightly flats, they are a desgrace in this day and age, they should give the residents homes to live in instead!!

Posted by Gary | 20.01.09, 11:51 GMT