The Hamilton Dock Hotel site is approximately 1.3 hectares in size and forms part of Titanic Quarter's plot 8.

In July 2019, JMK Group submitted an planning application (LA04/2019/1636/F) seeking the erection of a hotel comprising 276 beds, conference facilities, restaurant /cafe/bar uses (including roof top bar), landscaped public realm, car parking and associated site and road works. This application was approved by Belfast City Council on 28 January 2020.

In February 2022, JMK Group submitted a new planning application (LA04/2022/0293/F) seeking the erection of a hotel/aparthotel comprising 162 hotel beds and 94 aparthotel beds, conference facilities, restaurant /cafe/bar uses (including roof top bar), gym, landscaped public realm, car parking, cycle parking and associated site and road works. Except for the inclusion of the aparthotel beds replacing some of the hotel beds, and some other minor changes, the proposed development is similar to the previously approved scheme hotel scheme with the overall massing, design,siting and materiality not deviating. This application was approved in September 2022 by the Belfast City Council Planning Committee.

In June 2023, JMK Group submitted a revised planning application (LA04/2023/3442/F) proposing the erection of hotel/ aparthotel comprising 135 hotel beds and 93 aparthotel beds, restaurant / cafe/bar uses, gym, landscaped public realm, car parking, cycle parking and associated site and road works. This application was approved in December 2023.

In December 2023, works commenced on the new Hamilton Dock hotel.

In January 2024, it was announced that JMK Group won a £28m development finance loan by the Northern Ireland Investment Fund (managed by CBRE) to facilitate the development of the Hamilton Dock Hotel site in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

The site has also had previous planning approvals including

• Z/2009/1260/F which sought the erection of a hotel comprising 244 bedrooms, ancillary restaurant and conference facilities, hotel office, landscaped public realm, basement car park and associated site and road works.
• Z/2006/2864/O which sought a residential led mixed use development including Titanic Experience Building, public realm areas and associated infrastructural works.