102 High Street - Built to the design of J.J. Brennan 1956-59. The Transport & General Workers Union is a mix of styles: social realism and post-war Soviet art. Curtain wall glazing and a pilotis creates a stark contrast with its neighbouring Victorian buildings. In1958 the inauguration was held by Frank Cousins Esq, Major William Cecil McKee and Norman Kennedy.

TGWU Building Photos

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About TGWU Building

This building of the Transport & General Workers Union was built between 1956-59. Designed by J.J. Brennan socialist realism meets post-war Soviet art. It’s a style  that is characterised with curtain wall glazing and a stair way of upper floors jutting out on pilotis and stands in stark contrast to the neighbouring Victorian buildings such as the Albert Clock and Head Line buildings.

This striking façade displays a huge mural depicting from the bottom up: giant marching men, a factory, a ship and an airplane. Each of the industries portrayed here represent Belfast’s heyday of engineering when this city was not only a national success employing thousands but internationally recognised for setting the tone of skilled manufacturing and technological advances.

Before the entrance of Transport House is this stone tablet recalling the official opening on the 25th of October 1958 by Frank Cousins Esq. Also present were the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Major William Cecil McKee and Norman Kennedy Esq.

In May 2008 the building was the centre of media attention when airport workers went on hunger strike on the roof of the building.

The TGWU have currently vacated the building as refurbishment work is about to get underway.