With the recent confirmation of the City Deal and investment into Derry, some areas of the city are on their way to being transformed in the coming years.
Improved infrastructure, new museums and hospitality venues are set to bring new life to the city centre.
Many of these changes will see Ebrington Square become a hub of activity, drawing visitors over the peace bridge into the Waterside.
Here are some of the developments we can look forward to seeing take shape over the next few years:
Maritime Museum DNA (Derry on the North Atlantic), Ebrington Square
A decade on from its formulation, the people of Derry are closer than ever to the development of the long-awaited Maritime Museum.
The Maritime Museum DNA project by Derry City and Strabane District Council will see the creation of an interactive maritime visitor attraction experience at Ebrington . The finances for this project were secured through the City Deal.
This will be an interactive and high-spec visitor attraction space that will narrate the story of the city and region and the important role it has played in global historical events.
It will deliver a unique maritime visitor experience and archive that will share our unique historic significance and collections with a global audience.
Quayside riverfront regeneration
Previous development of Derry's riverfront helped to transform the city to one welcoming to walkers and tourists. It freshened up the city's appearance and made the riverview walk one to be enjoyed.
This new vision created within the City Deal is to create a world class city waterfront and riverfront space that will act as a stimulus for innovation and investment in the heart of the city.
The riverfront space will have tree-lined avenues, new pedestrian and cycle routes and pedestrian squares and meeting points.
The Riverfront will become a lively and vibrant place that will be complemented with a new and reimagined public space at Queen’s Quay, Guildhall Square, Foyle Street and Harbour Square roundabout.
Ebrington hotel
Currently shrouded by scaffolding, the iconic Ebrington clocktower is under renovations to become a stunning new hotel, with panoramic views of Ebrington Square, the peace bridge and Derry's cityside.
Planning permission has been approved for a new £12m, 152 bedroom hotel and restaurant in Ebrington Square.
It will involve the ‘refurbishment, re-use and rebuild’ of a number of listed buildings at the former army barracks notably buildings 67, 68 but also building 69 known as the Clock Tower building.
In addition to the hotel and restaurant, the proposal also includes provision for associated leisure, function, meeting room and bar facilities along with additional car parking.
Tillie and Henderson apartment development
Andras Group, a Belfast hotel and property group, is proposing to build 131 apartments on the derelict site, which has been vacant since the original factory was demolished in 2003 after damage from a fire.
Located on the historic Tillie and Henderson shirt factory site on the banks of the River Foyle, set over eight floors and offering superb living and entertaining space with riverside views, this is the perfect location for modern day living.
The original Tillie and Henderson shirt factory represented the core of Derry's shirt factory industry.
A separate planning application has been made, seeking permission to replicate the original metal staircase that linked the factory with Craigavon Bridge.
The developer has indicated that the decorative staircase will eventually feature a ‘Factory Girls’ statue in honour the site’s history.
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