Banana Block opens its doors
Banana Block opened at Portview in October 2021, transforming part of the former mill into a new space for heritage, events, enterprise and culture.
On 23 October 2021, Banana Block opened its doors at Portview, bringing new life to another part of the former Strand Spinning Mill.
The new living museum, events and commercial space combined the industrial heritage of the building with the unusual story of bananas being successfully grown in East Belfast more than a century earlier.
A planted indoor growing space brought that story to life, while the wider venue created room for exhibitions, events, independent businesses and public activity. Opening-day programming also showcased some of the businesses and makers already connected with Portview.
Contemporary coverage described Banana Block as a first step towards developing Portview as a destination for tourism, innovation, creativity and culture in East Belfast.
The project went on to host markets, food, music, exhibitions and events, opening the historic mill to audiences who previously had little reason to visit.
For Portview, Banana Block demonstrated what adaptive reuse can achieve: preserving the character and stories of an industrial building while giving vacant space a new economic and social purpose.
Contemporary coverage / source: LoveBelfast – Belfast goes bananas for new living museum | Northern Ireland Travel News – Belfast goes bananas for new living museum
