The project will involve demolishing a neighboring office building, Norwood House.

Belfast City Council’s planning committee also approved the construction of a new hotel and the expansion of a research institute at Queen’s University Belfast.

The hotel project will consist of redeveloping a former listed police station on Queen Street in the city centre.

It will include the preservation of the listed façade of the building and a nine-storey extension to the rear.

Councilors also approved an expansion of Queen’s University’s Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) into the Titanic Quarter.

The project is part of the Belfast City Deal, one of a number of funding schemes negotiated between the Westminster Government and local authorities.

Councilor Arder Carson, chairman of the planning committee, said: “These approvals reflect our commitment to supporting projects that enhance the heritage, community and economic vitality of Belfast.