Siobhan Bell and partner Caoimhe McFall (centre) received the keys to the 100th home in Black Ridge recently. Pictured with Anastasia Edwards and Grainne Kelly from Apex and Alastair Jackson from the Braidwater Group.
Celebrating the 100th home completion at Black Ridge
A significant milestone has been reached at Black Ridge, a transformative housing development in west Belfast, with the completion and handover of its 100th home.
Construction on the 75-acre site began in early 2021, paving the way for over 650 social and affordable homes. Black Ridge, one of Northern Ireland’s largest housing projects, is designed as a mixed-use urban village. It is being developed by Apex Housing Association (Apex) in partnership with BW Social Affordable Housing, part of the Braidwater Group.
Beyond housing, the development includes plans for a vibrant community infrastructure featuring a community centre with a multi-use games area (MUGA), two care homes, a retail centre, a hotel, and several children’s play areas.
Nestled on a previously underutilised parcel of land that ascends from Glen Road to Upper Springfield Road, Black Ridge offers stunning panoramic views of Belfast and the surrounding countryside, including the picturesque Mourne Mountains.
Barry Kerr, Apex’s Director of Development, commented on the importance of the milestone:
We are delighted to mark the 100th home at Black Ridge and recognise the impact that these new homes are having on local families. The scale of this development means it continues to play a significant role in addressing the demand for social and affordable housing in west Belfast, and we look forward to seeing this community grow and thrive in the coming years.
Ryan Boyle, Chief Operating Officer of the Braidwater Group, said:
Achieving the 100th completion is a testament to the hard work of our teams on-site and at head office. Black Ridge is currently the largest housing development in Northern Ireland, and we’ve overcome many challenges to deliver homes in an area historically underserved by new builds. The development not only delivers much-needed housing but also creates hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for the local construction industry. Through our ‘Buy Social’ program, we’re providing opportunities for apprentices, education leavers, long-term unemployed individuals, and professional trainees.
The £102 million project has been made possible through a combination of £52.4 million in Housing Association Grant funding from the Department for Communities and £49.4 million in private finance investment from Apex Housing Association.
Read more about Black Ridge
> Minister opens £102m housing development in West Belfast (March 2024)
> Black Ridge Gardens, Belfast
