City social housing goes upmarket

The apartments are described as having "contemporary interiors"

An upmarket apartment block in a trendy part of south Belfast could soon be home for some lucky people on the housing waiting list.

The Curzon development, built on the site of the old cinema of the same name on the Ormeau Road, may be sold to a housing association.

Clanmil Housing confirmed to the BBC that it is in negotiations with the property's owner to buy all 61 flats.

It is understood that only 14 flats had been booked by private buyers.

If the deal went ahead, Clanmil would then let the apartments to people on the Housing Executive's waiting list.

Curzon developer Kevin Watson said anyone who had paid a deposit would still be able to purchase the property or get a refund.

John McPeake of the executive said it intended to buy a third of its housing stock this year from developers.

"There are a lot of properties available on the market at this time and so there are good deals to be done and associations are stepping up to the mark and striking those good deals," he said.

The estate agent selling the apartments describe them as "offering spectacular views with beautiful contemporary interiors".