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Shipping container offices move to new home at Brabazon
Shipping container workspace Boxworks has moved to a new location at Brabazon on the former Filton Airfield.
For seven years, Boxworks has been the home to some 70 businesses and startups near Bristol Temple Meads but its own new home in north Bristol marks a watershed point for the distinct workspace.
Frome-based owner Forward, which oversees the operations at Boxworks, completed the move in May with the company’s first new client already on the books at the new site.
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Boxworks is now located amid the hustle and bustle of the construction work carried out on Brabazon development, where plans for thousands of homes and a 19,000-capacity arena are in the pipeline, home to 20 shipping containers reimagined as workspaces.
Each studio around 28sqm and is designed to accommodate six to eight people with all the modern conveniences – energy-efficient insulation, heating, lighting and fast broadband internet.
Each studio around 28sqm and is designed to accommodate six to eight people with all the modern conveniences – energy-efficient insulation, heating, lighting, and fast broadband internet
Bristol24/7 visited the site and spoke to head of brand and marketing James Borley and chief operating officer Alice Burling at Forward.
Speaking about the move, Borley said: “I don’t think there’s anything of this type, in terms of a workspace, in this area.
“Of course, there is big a fusion of big hotels and hubs in the area which offers a version co-working space and conference room facilities.
“And there’s Aztec West and large engineering hubs. But in terms of workspace for small companies and startups this provides a unique opportunity.”
Borley added: “The wider point is, this is somewhere you can work, live and shop, all within a small area.”
The current incarnation of the area promises a regeneration for the region with thousands new homes, 19,000-capacity arena and 15-minute trains to Bristol Temple Meads
Burling pointed to the direction of the old aircraft hangar to show the site of the proposed train station which is set to connect the sit to Bristol Temple Meads in 15 minutes.
She said: “Transport has always been an issue in Bristol, in terms of business and development. The new train line will definitely link the area to the rest of the city.
“It’s exciting that so much going on with the new Brabazon development. It’s going to be amazing when it’s finished – the train station, the YTL Arena, the lake and the village. The phase one is already finished and the phase two is already underway.”
Filton Airfield had been the crown of Bristol’s engineering excellence for decades. Its rich history traverses wartime contributions, supersonic achievements and aerospace innovation, with its latest iteration under the stewardship of YTL Development.
All photos: Milan Perera
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