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19.06.08 TITANIC SIGNATURE PROJECT PROPOSED FOR ODYSSEY Major plans for a potential new site for the Titanic Signature Project, the key visitor attraction to be built with the support of government for the 2012 Titanic centenary, were revealed today. Known as Titanic Dock, the proposal envisages a new, iconic, boat-shaped extension to the Odyssey at Abercorn Basin. The building would create an additional 120,000 square feet of exhibition and gallery space including a scale model of the Titanic suspended spectacularly behind the glass frontage of the building. The boat-like design would also incorporate rejuvenated exhibition space for W5; a new five star hotel which allows guests to stay ‘on the boat’; a centralised ticketing and commercial area and new banqueting and conference space on the top floors with views of Belfast Lough, Queen’s Island and beyond. The scheme, which is currently being appraised by DETI in preparation for a decision by the Northern Ireland Executive this summer, has been proposed by the Odyssey Trust, in association with Titanic exhibition specialists WLM Inc., based in Orlando, Florida. The total budget for the proposal is £64m with just over £39m being requested from public sector sources and the remainder, to fund the hotel, banqueting and Titanic attraction elements, from private sector funders. Odyssey Chief Executive, Robert Fitzpatrick said: “In readiness for 2012, Belfast’s global icon, the Titanic, can finally be celebrated in a fitting way in the city of her birth. Titanic Dock will be a world class visitor attraction hosted in a building capable of global recognition at the Odyssey. This destination and its content will be of such scale, originality and innovation that it will become the most important, man-made tourist attraction Northern Ireland has to offer. It will be constructed and operational in time to celebrate 100 years of the legacy of the Titanic; as well as telling the story of those who built it, sailed in it and, tragically, died in it. “Using cutting-edge interactive technology, a series of galleries will also represent the great maritime history of Belfast and celebrate the legacy of success that was Harland & Wolff and Workman Clark, as well as experiencing first-hand, the social conditions of the city. These galleries will also present wonderful opportunities to explore and discover the methods used to construct some of the greatest ships of the age as well as teaching and experimenting with the maritime science of today.” Renowned Titanic explorer and exhibition expert G.Michael Harris, Chief Executive of WLM added: “For too long, Belfast has not had a fitting showcase for its maritime industry and heritage, nor has it marked properly the greatest and most famous ship ever built, the Titanic. “At last, Titanic Dock can deliver a world class attraction in Northern Ireland and we are thrilled to be involved. Inside the spectacular glass ‘hull’, visitors from across the world will be dazzled by the Titanic captured for ever in its suspended glory, 50 feet above the ground. The ship will be interactive and visitors will be able to explore its intricacies before travelling into actual re-creations of some of its most important elements including walking the grand staircase and seeing the luxury of the first class eating and sleeping facilities, as well as the great boilers and the Bridge before venturing outside to experience the magnitude of the tragedy of April 14, 1912.” Titanic Dock is designed by award-winning architectural practice, Consarc Design Group, the Belfast-based architects of the original Odyssey complex. Composed of a steel frame and reinforced dark glass hull, the ingenious structure brings the W5 elevation of the Odyssey building out towards the water of Abercorn Basin by a further 9 metres. The building stretches to 7 storeys in height and connects to all of the key Titanic sites on Queen’s island through a series of interpretative guides. For the 2012 year, a special light show which re-creates the four funnels of the Titanic is also proposed. Odyssey Trust Chairman, Alan Gibson, emphasised the benefits of the Odyssey location and stewardship of the Titanic Signature Project: “We have an established charitable model; exemplary procurement and management processes and the experience of running and possibly more importantly, sustaining without additional government subsidy, what is acknowledged as one of the most successful of the UK’s Millennium projects. Our plans for Titanic Dock are audacious and striking but they also make very sound economic sense and provide the opportunity to make the Odyssey, with a refreshed and exciting new offer, even more sustainable in the future.” A comprehensive business case for Titanic Dock was submitted by the Odyssey Trust to DETI on May 7. An announcement on funding for either Titanic Dock or the alternative Titanic Signature Project is expected this summer. ENDS
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