Bruce Street is included in the list of streets in the Belfast Directory 1835-1836 with a reference to Joy Street as an adjoining street. The 1839 edition of Martin’s Belfast Directory lists people living here. Resolved that Mr. [blank space in handwritten record] Joy be granted permission to name new street near Dublin Bridge, ‘Bruce Street’. 16th April 1862. Bruce Street is included in the list of streets in the Belfast Directory 1835-1836 with a reference to Joy Street as an adjoining street. This was clearly an earlier Bruce Street as shown from this newspaper advert: "A lot of Building-ground on the South side of Hamilton Street, formerly called Bruce Street (but now called Sussex Place), in the town of Belfast, containing, in front to said Street, 146 feet, or thereabouts, and extending from front to rear, on the East side, 94 feet, or thereabouts; as same varies in depth from front to rear at different parts of said premises, situate in the Town, Parish, and Barony of Belfast, and County of Antrim, which are held under a Lease bearing date the 22nd November, 1841, from William Bruce Joy, Esq., M.D.; Henry H. Joy, Esq., Q.C.; Frederick Joy, Esq., and Rev. John H. Joy, for two lives, with covenant for perpetual renewal on payment of 10s. as a renewal fine; subject to the yearly rent of £40 sterling, payable half-yearly". (Belfast News-Letter - Tuesday 22 September 1857).