£50m office block planned for city centre
PLANS to build a £50-million office block in the centre of Bristol have been approved by officials at the city council.
If the scheme, to build the eight-storey building in Victoria Street, goes ahead it will be the biggest of the kind seen in the city in several years.
The commercial property market has ground to an almost complete standstill following the recession and there has been no new speculative developments since 2008.
Planning permission has been granted for the 258,000 square feet development following a city council planning meeting last week.
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The £50 million speculative building is named Aspire and if it goes ahead there will be enough room in the building for 2,000 office workers.
The site, next door to the KPMG south west headquarters, is occupied by an office block which will be demolished to make way for the new building.
Planners have given the go-ahead for the application even though there were objections from several organisations. Both Redcliffe Futures and Bristol Civic Society were opposed to the scheme. The Civic Society claimed the loss of the existing building would be a blow because "it is a positive contributor to the street scene".
A spokesman for the organisation added: "We are also particularly concerned that the proposal to replace it would considerably exceed the height of its neighbours and can see no justification for this. The proposed building would, in our view, contribute little to the overall appearance of the area."
A spokesman for Redcliffe Futures added: "Proposals were worked up for a considerable time before we were invited to comment.
"There was clearly no intention that plans might be altered as a result of community involvement. This flouting of established consultation practice should be condemned."
The spokesperson added: "Whilst the existing buildings provide a pleasant facade on this varied street, we accept that the life of the structures can no longer deliver reasonable standards of sustainable operation and should be replaced.
"However, the replacement must offer a facade of equivalent or better architectural quality."
The new glass-fronted building has been designed by Aukett Fitzroy Robinson architects in partnership with Buro Happold. The development will result in the layout of the road and street along Temple Street and Victoria Street redesigned.
Luke Schuberth, managing director at Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, said: "This scheme is an important landmark for Bristol and will make a significant contribution to the region's commercial offering. The unique flexibility of this design makes it truly stand out from its peer developments, I am not aware of another building like it in the UK."
Both English Heritage and the Environment Agency said they were not opposed to the scheme in principle.
The council approved the application on the basis that the developer pays a sum towards transport schemes under a so-called Section 106 agreement.
Comments
by Spiggett
Friday, October 12 2012, 10:12AM
“"we should be demolishing the eyesores and using those spaces for development of this kind.
The drap (?) ex court buildings around Nelson St. only look acceptable now because of the artwork but should be the first target"
Acceptable? -They've completely vandalised a unique example of "Mid Century Modern" 20th Century Architecture -the kind of thing "English (-who's?) Heritage" and the "Bristol Civic Society" should by there to save!”
by gary_hopkins
Thursday, October 11 2012, 7:24PM
“Whether or not this is everyone's first choice of building type required it is a sign that there is confidence in the economy in Bristol.Assuming we are not dealing with a Euro Millions winner with unusual taste we are talking about serious business that sees a profit and is investing a lot of their own cash (much less bank cash for spec developments these days).
Bristol is doing well compared to most places but even here construction has been squeezed and a lot of construction workers would have smiled as they read the story.”
by SlotBoy
Thursday, October 11 2012, 6:57PM
“This is so pointless. Doubtless the plans will be accompanied by a graphic visual which will look nothing like the finished product. See buildings on Temple Way for a classic example. Who is really going to benefit from this? The developer that is who. In total agreement with Vlox4, we should be demolishing the eyesores and using those spaces for development of this kind. The drap ex court buildings around Nelson St. only look acceptable now because of the artwork but should be the first target. I oppose most new office developments and in keeping with my Mayoral policy would much rather see Bristol's spaces preserved and not blighted further by unneccessary buildings. A new park instead! Imagine.... No, be realistic, no one stands to make enough money. How things have changed.
Question? How much will the Council stand to gain over this ? and is it really worth it?
Rich fisher - Independent for mayor.
Website up now. Please take a look
http://tinyurl.com/9fsvszk”
by DazzyBoy
Thursday, October 11 2012, 5:54PM
“Shame its not plans to build a £50m Arena approved!!
We can only build dwarf office blocks!!”
by ANDYJRM
Thursday, October 11 2012, 5:34PM
“To be fair, empty scattered offices don't necessarily meet the needs of businesses - there's pretty decent odds that the new development would appeal to a larger organisation that needs everyone in the same space.”
by sheppas
Thursday, October 11 2012, 4:47PM
“Er...I swear there's already thousand of offices that are empty!? What's the point of more office space if you can't fill it with business! Seem's like a waste of time, effort and money, on such a ambitious, radical project...ITS 8 STORIES HIGH I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW!
Let us know when there's one being built which will totally dwarf Castlemead and then it may become news.”
by Spiggett
Thursday, October 11 2012, 10:13AM
“"If the scheme, to build the eight-storey building in Victoria Street, goes ahead it will be the biggest of the kind seen in the city in several years" says it all...”
by J12345678
Thursday, October 11 2012, 12:03AM
“Maybe the Mayor could insist on using *existing* empty office space after the elections. Should be quite simple to change council policy - if the will is there?”
by kromax
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 7:19PM
“@Goveknows "
"Homes need's to be built not more empty offices."
You want homes built in Victoria Street? and/if the economy picks up where do we put the new office blocks? on a housing development using your logic!
We get a shiny new office as a replacement for the old eyesore and employment for local contractors during development whats the matter with that?
Mind you there is probably some local protest group getting ready to chain themselves to the old building as we speak.”
by Seldombother
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 6:44PM
“To be honest the existing offices are an eyesore now.
I want to know (a) what the Bristol Civic Society are actually for? Because the only time they ever pop up is to complain about a new development (any development)
and (b) who the hell are Redcliffe Futures? Are they the people behind the development behind which still hasn't started despite having approval for years which contains um office blocks and yet more student accommodation. Oh yes recession, not because they want to be able to charge top rates and make even more money. I don't recall any housing for non students being included in those plans. So slightly misleading them complaining about office blocks because they (or the developers who have them in their pockets) don't want the competition for floor space and reducing their profits. Just be honest don't hide behind this fake concern about aesthetics.”