A major milestone has been achieved at Black Ridge (Glenmona), the transformative residential development located on Glen Road, Belfast, with the completion and handover of its 200th home.
Handing over the keys to Cliodhna Ritchie, the 200th completion at Black Ridge, are Site Manager Gareth Gamble (right) and Karl White, Senior Housing Officer, Apex Housing Association.
Construction commenced on the expansive 75-acre site in early 2021 and continues to make strong progress toward delivering more than 650 high-quality social and affordable homes. As one of Northern Ireland’s largest and most ambitious housing schemes, Black Ridge is being carefully shaped into a thriving mixed-use urban village. The development is delivered by Apex Housing Association (Apex) in partnership with BW Social Affordable Housing, part of The Braidwater Group.
More than just housing, Black Ridge is designed to foster a strong and sustainable community. Plans include a modern community centre complete with a multi-use games area (MUGA), two purpose-built care homes, a retail centre, a hotel, and multiple children’s play parks, creating a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood for generations to come.
Situated on a previously underutilised hillside site stretching from Glen Road to Upper Springfield Road, Black Ridge enjoys breathtaking panoramic views across Belfast and beyond, including the iconic Mourne Mountains, offering residents a unique blend of city connectivity and natural beauty.
Headquartered in Eglinton, The Braidwater Group brings over 50 years of housebuilding expertise to the project. Speaking on the milestone, Chief Operating Officer Ryan Boyle said:
“Reaching our 200th completion at Black Ridge marks a significant milestone and reflects the dedication and professionalism of our on-site and support teams. As Northern Ireland’s largest active housing development, it demands resilience and long-term commitment. Many staff travel substantial distances daily to maintain exceptional standards, and we are very appreciative of that as we deliver much-needed, high-quality homes to the area.”
He added:
“Beyond providing much-needed housing, Black Ridge continues to generate substantial economic and social value. The development supports hundreds of direct and indirect jobs across the local construction sector, and through our ‘Buy Social’ programme we are creating real opportunities for apprentices, school leavers, long-term unemployed individuals and professional trainees.”
Barry Kerr, Apex’s Executive Director of Development, echoed these sentiments, noting the importance of the milestone:
“The delivery of 200 homes at Black Ridge is a major achievement and showcases the meaningful progress being made on this transformative development. Each new home handed over is making a real difference to families in west Belfast. The scale and ambition of Black Ridge mean it will continue to play a vital role in meeting the significant demand for social and affordable housing in the area. We are proud to be delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes which people are proud to call home.”
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.