The first sod was cut last week to mark the beginning of a new era for Ebrington Square in Derry.
The long-anticipated £15million project will include a 152-bed hotel, transforming five buildings on the site, including the clock tower, into a four-star hotel with spa and leisure facilities.
The DUP's First Minister Paul Givan said the new hotel would allow the city to "continue to grow as a vibrant, modern city."
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said it was another "step forward" in their vision to regenerate the North West.
However, reaction to the news was quite mixed with some suggesting the city didn't need another hotel and the £15million could've been better spent.
So we asked you, our readers, what you thought of the new development and here's what you said:
- Chris Rodgers - "It was always going to be a hotel so that's a positive for the site."
- Glynis Ramsey Bond - "A similar facility that is available over in Brunswick Bowling Alley would have been great for the Waterside!"
- Vernonia Fitzpatrick - "Derry crying out for detox centre why and how is yet another hotel being built."
- Shauna Mullin - "Would love to have seen that building used for an arts and drama."
- Betty Curran - "Don't think we need another hotel, think the money could be spent on more important things."
- Joan McGowan - "We don't need another hotel. A detox centre or a new nightclub."
- Joan Finn - "Fantastic development for our city."
- BCV Motors - "It will bring more people to our city. It’s about time our city got something."
- Gearoid McAdams - "Spend it towards a third bridge."
- Rabillat Martina - "Great idea with a pool and spa facilities that's what tourists locals want, they want experiences."
- Wendy Atkinson - "What about the maritime museum?"
- Mary McLoone - "Do we need another hotel, is tourism that strong that it's necessary?"
It's fair to say people have a varied opinion on the hotel which is due to be completed by the summer of 2023.
If you want to see the full post, then you can see it here.
