RBH Hospitality Management has been selected to operate The Foundry, a new boutique hotel set to open in Belfast, Northern Ireland, this June.

The 20-bedroom property will be situated on the historic site of the original Harp Bar on Hill Street, which was once known as Foundry Lane and renowned for its pottery heritage.

The Foundry will become the second Belfast-based hotel operated by RBH under the ownership of Ducales Capital.

The planning permission to transform the site into a hotel was granted last October, reported The Irish News.  

Ducales Capital had appointed Jim Crawford Smyth as The Foundry's general manager.

The hotel opening is anticipated to create approximately 40 jobs.

It will feature a bar and restaurant open to both residents and the public, with RBH’s group director of food & beverage Will Macpherson contributing to the restaurant concept and menu development.

The opening of The Foundry will mark RBH’s third new hotel launch this year, expanding its portfolio to 53 properties across the UK.

 RBH Hospitality Management CEO David Hart commented, “This will be a great property to add to our portfolio, and its boutique nature will further diversify our mix of branded, independent, boutique and luxury hotels. Our strong working relationship with Ducales Capital is fundamental to our growth across Ireland and we look forward to once again working together to maximise the performance of the hotel.”

Ducales Capital spokesperson John Stuart stated, “Opening our second RBH-operated property in Belfast, given the previous experience and success of our partnership with RBH, is an exciting move. The legendary history of the site will be retained in our approach to the new build, and we felt RBH was the right operator to support the management of this transition.”