Travel / Hotels
Five-star hotel with rooftop bar set to open in Old City in late-2024
It has been a long time coming but a new luxury hotel is due to open in one of Bristol’s most historic buildings in late-2024.
The five-star Hotel Gotham (it doesn’t rhyme with Cotham) will feature 75 bedrooms, a restaurant, spa and rooftop terrace bar.
The building with entrances on both Small Street and Broad Street has been closed since 2010 and was hit by a fire in 2020.
is needed now More than ever
Also known as the Assize Court, the current Guildhall was built between 1843 and 1846, replacing a previous 15th century building.
It was historically the seat of Bristol’s local government as well as holding the mayor’s parlour and courtrooms, one of which reportedly has a Jacobean chimneypiece dating from 1626 and originally from Welsh Back.
The historic Guildhall is currently missing much of its roof as it is turned into Hotel Gotham – photo: Martin Booth
Work started to transform the Grade II* listed building at the start of 2023, with much of the building’s roof currently missing, and a new walkway due to be opened up connecting Small Street and Broad Street.
Developers Paton Developments are commissioning artists to create site specific new artwork for the hotel, including a suspended illuminated work for the three-storey clocktower that will form the new main hotel entrance from Broad Street.
The only other Hotel Gotham in the UK is in a former bank in Manchester.
Hotel owners Bespoke Hotels say: “The Guildhall is a very special site in Bristol – it is listed and incredibly imposing – but it has been closed since 2010, and it is time for this grand old building to be brought back to life and contribute fully to Bristol’s visitor scene and nightlife…
“We can’t wait to bring the Gotham brand to Bristol.”
To learn more about the Guildhall, take a walk around the hidden corners of the Old City and Castle Park with Martin Booth: www.yuup.co/experiences/explore-bristol-s-quirkiest-corners
Broad Street’s future pedestrianisation scheme looks likely to see a barrier installed in front of the Guildhall – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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