In 2011, EastSide Property, part of EastSide Partnership, purchased George Best’s family home from the Best family in order to preserve and celebrate the legacy of the area’s home-grown footballing superstar.
Following consultation with the family and local residents it was determined that the best option to provide access to the home for fans and visitors, while causing minimum disruption to the quiet residential area, was to use it as tourism accommodation. At the time EastSide Property invested in retro-refurbishing George’s bedroom to a 1960s style, the rest of the home remained as it was when George’s father Dickie passed away and when the home was purchased.
EastSide Tourism, also part of EastSide Partnership, now manages the George Best House. EastSide Tourism aims to coordinate and deliver responsible, sustainable and impactful culture-led regeneration, pushing boundaries to put east Belfast on the map.
In 2021 EastSide Tourism successfully received funding from Tourism Northern Ireland’s Visitor Experience Development to retro-refurbish the home to a 1960s style, leading to an enhanced visitor experience.
The home is also popular for visiting journalists from around the world and is used regularly as a film location.
By booking a tour or a stay at George Best House you are contributing to the regeneration of east Belfast via the work of EastSide Tourism.