Office block to become student digs in overhaul

“And we can't live in the 1970's with unoccupied concrete buildings surly if they have been empty for years it is telling us something, like tollgate house was. No one can argue Cabot Circus isnt a better use of space (okay possible negative impacts on other areas, but still Unused 35 years old ugly tower block vs shopping centre and entertainment which brings in money)”

“Turn it into student accommodation at least it will be used, and money spent improving it. Most of that areas does look very bleak and anything to make it more inviting is good, yes students but they are not all bad. And in years to come it could be offices again, but yeah less houses used by students would be good, as we keep getting told Bristol has a lack of housing. We cant not have extra student accommodation, increasing house prices and no new big developments, something does have to give otherwise Bristol will fall behind many other places, all we need is sustainable infrastructure to support extra people and this isn't exactly impossible we just need local authorities and businesses to have some joined/linked up thinking, like bus links to U.W.E ect.”

“"While I agree there is a lot of vacant offices around Bristol some buildings are not as empty as they seem. I think we should reduce the number of large To let signs on the side of buildings, because they give off the wrong impression. I've worked in a large office building where there is only one empty office, but with a massive To Let sign on the side of the building, you would think the whole place was empty.""
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I agree completely, macadam 212. It's something I've mentioned before.

Drive around the central areas and you would be forgiven for believing you're visiting a commercial ghost town yet, as you say, it's often part of one floor that's empty - one office out of many even.

I can't think this does the commercial property agents any favours either because the casual visitor would believe the city is struggling to survive when, in fact, it remains one of the most economically vibrant in the country.

The business districts around Temple, Redcliffe and Harbourside are certainly the recipients of new/modern office blocks which means that some older ones, like Froomsgate House, will inevitably have to find other uses.

As for business taxes, yes Bristol certainly puts far more into the government pot for redistribution to so-called deserving areas than it takes out. Places like Merseyside then have facilities provided by the public purse that Bristol lacks but has in part paid for.”

“Gradually we see the end of the Buchanan horror story taking place. I wonder if the one way system Rupert St / Lewins mead could be reviewed. One could hope for Rupert St to be pedestrianised and Lewins Mead to become two way again so as to remove one inhuman racetrack from the city centre.”

“As far as I am concerned this is a good example of recycling a brown field site. As for the potential 'mess' referred to, I recall part of my student rent in halls of residence would go towards cleaning and maintenance so there is no real reason why this should become a problem. Providing the developer sticks to the original plan and doesn't abuse the planning consent and then turn it into more 'luxury flats' then all should be well.”

“There is no need to knock down the footbridges or change the outside of the building, just put the student flats and bars in the current building.”

“@Bristol1978...

But those are all full? They wouldn't build it if there wasn't a profit/return to be made so therefore there is a need. Having lived in a couple of those properties, whilst expensive (and run by less than desirable Unite), they were a lot better than the hideous landlords and slums some student houses are!”

“"UNSIGHTLY"? -More biassed reporting!”

“I used to enjoy using the walkways on my way to work in Greyfriars, it was nice to get away from the traffic below. It was a good idea but poorly implemented and without enough going on up there it does make it quite dangerous I suppose. I think Cabot Circus is the ultimate 60's/70's utopian dream with walkways in the sky although the quality of the place is far higher so let hope it fairs better in the years to come.

While I agree there is a lot of vacant offices around Bristol some buildings are not as empty as they seem. I think we should reduce the number of large To let signs on the side of buildings, because they give off the wrong impression. I've worked in a large office building where there is only one empty office, but with a massive To Let sign on the side of the building, you would think the whole place was empty.”

“StudiOS58
King Square Studios
Blenheim Court
Cherry Court
iQ Student Accommodation
Nelson House
Drake House
Hotwells House
Fitzhardinge House
Holly Court
Westlea House
Favell House
College Green
Culver House
Unite House
Deans Court
Winkworth House
Phoenix Court
Chantry Court
The Rackhay

We just don't have anywhere near enough student accommodation in Bristol!!”