The former Ulster Tatler headquarters on Boucher Road in Belfast is set to reopen as a multi‑million‑pound lifestyle destination, bringing together sport, recovery and hospitality under one roof. The project — called FEAT4 — has been developed by brothers Charlie and Edward Conroy from Dungannon and is due to open in mid‑October.
What the new venue will offer
FEAT4 is being presented as more than a conventional sports centre. The facility will feature indoor padel courts, specialist coaching, physiotherapy, Pilates, saunas, ice baths and dedicated recovery services, alongside café and hospitality spaces intended to encourage socialising as well as exercise.
- Opening: Mid‑October
- Jobs created: 15
- Facility highlight: Indoor padel courts with 12‑metre‑high ceilings
- Services: Coaching, physiotherapy, Pilates, recovery facilities, café and hospitality areas
The developers say the design responds to demand for an all‑weather, year‑round facility, with a heating and cooling system intended to maintain comfortable playing conditions regardless of season.
Backing from business and sport
The venture has already attracted support from a mix of corporate partners, including Padel Mates, Agnew Belfast Volvo and KPMG, signalling commercial confidence in the concept from both sporting and corporate communities. The Conroys say the project also draws on European and UK models for large, multi‑use sporting venues.
“Padel has seen incredible growth across Belfast and Northern Ireland because it’s a sport that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy,”
Edward Conroy said the sport’s popularity and its capacity to foster social connections shaped the pair’s vision for FEAT4. He added that the brothers visited clubs across Europe and the UK for inspiration when planning the scheme.
Design and experience
A notable architectural detail is the courts’ 12‑metre ceiling height, which backers say will allow for a premium playing experience, including ample space for lobs and overhead shots. The combination of performance coaching and recovery amenities is intended to support both competitive players and those using the venue for general wellbeing.
Organisers describe FEAT4 as a modern “third place” — a community hub that sits somewhere between home and work — aiming to offer flexible reasons for people to spend time there beyond just playing sport.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Boucher Road, Belfast (former Ulster Tatler HQ) |
| Founders | Charlie and Edward Conroy |
| Opening | Mid‑October |
| Jobs | 15 |
| Key partners | Padel Mates, Agnew Belfast Volvo, KPMG |
The project is billed as Northern Ireland’s first venue of this scale combining a premium padel environment with integrated recovery and hospitality facilities. That positioning aims to capture both recreational players and those seeking performance‑led services.
Local impact and context
The redevelopment repurposes a familiar city centre building, signalling confidence in reinvestment in Belfast’s Boucher Road area. While the facility itself is focused on leisure and wellness, the creation of 15 new roles will also add a modest employment boost locally.
As padel continues to expand across the UK and Europe, FEAT4 joins a growing roster of venues responding to demand for accessible racket sports that appeal to a wide age range. The inclusion of recovery and hospitality elements follows a wider leisure trend that blends physical activity with wellbeing and social space.
For those curious to try padel or seeking a combined sport‑and‑wellness experience, FEAT4 promises a new option in Belfast when it opens next month.
