Deloitte has revealed the Belfast location of its new 100,000 sq ft head office in Northern Ireland. Once completed the site will be Deloitte's largest UK base by headcount outside of London.

The professional services firm will become the anchor tenant in Bedford Square, McAleer & Rushe's new development on Bedford Street, which is centred around the regeneration and refurbishment of the historic listed building formerly known as the Ewart Building.

Staff currently based at Deloitte’s other offices in the city will all move to Bedford Square.

An £85m project, Bedford Square is a 213,000 sq ft grade A office development which will accommodate more than 2,000 people upon completion.

The new Belfast office will accommodate all of Deloitte's core business areas, including audit, tax and consulting and will also involve a new Deloitte Digital and Greenhouse space created in the Ewart building.

The vacant four-storey sandstone warehouse building was designed by James Hamilton for the Bedford Street Weaving Company and completed in 1870.

Jackie Henry, senior partner at Deloitte in Belfast, said: "After a long selection process we are delighted to be able to announce the choice of Bedford Square as our new home in Belfast.

"It is a symbol of Deloitte’s commitment to this city that we have chosen a development which will breathe life back into one of Belfast's beautiful but neglected heritage buildings, contributing to the regeneration of the city centre while at the same time delivering an exciting and flexible modern work environment for our increasingly diverse and connected workforce."

She added: "This significant investment reflects our confidence in Belfast and its high-quality talent base.

"Based on our current growth projections we expect to have 1,000 staff in Belfast by 2022, with over 400 of these new roles supported by the Department for the Economy through Assured Skills and Higher Level Apprenticeships.

"Given that growth trajectory we have also made sure we have the option to increase the space to accommodate up to 1,250.”

Deloitte will be taking up to 100,000 sq ft of space within the Bedford Square development.

Stephen Surphlis, property director at McAleer & Rushe, said: "Securing Deloitte's commitment is a significant milestone in the delivery of this strategic development which will bring further economic activity to the heart of the city and surrounding local businesses.

"We have already commenced works and upon completion the building will provide much needed grade A office accommodation for international and indigenous companies within Belfast's prime office district."

Deloitte was advised on the transaction by Cushman & Wakefield, Belfast. McAleer & Rushe was advised by CBRE.

The firm is expected to move in to offices in 2021.