News / Housing
£136m scheme planned for former fire service HQ in Bristol
The former HQ of Avon Fire and Rescue is to be given a new lease of life as part of £136m development plans.
Bristol-based developer Cubex, with funding partner Palmer Capital, has snapped up the city centre site for an undisclosed amount and intends to turn it into offices and more than 300 homes – 20 per cent of which will be affordable.
The deal, described as “a significant transaction for the city”, follows fierce bidding from investors across the UK for what is claimed to one of the last regeneration sites remaining in the central business district.
Cubex has already regenerated Finzels Reach and The Paragon Building
Cubex, the company behind Finzels Reach, has secured funding to develop the office space speculatively – before tenants have been secured – and plans to create a mixed-use development for more than 1,500 people.
“We plan to bring our strong local knowledge and track record of delivery in Bristol to breathe new life into this site, bringing further badly-needed new homes, work space and investment into the heart of the city,” said Gavin Bridge, the executive director of Cubex.
“We’re extremely pleased to have secured funding to enable us to develop another speculative office building, along with over 300 apartments likely to be aimed at the ‘build to rent’ market.
“We all know Bristol needs more homes, and we’re really pleased to be building them – including a good proportion that meet the ‘affordable’ criteria.”
Gavin Bridge (left) pictured at the official opening of Castle Bridge, linking Finzels Reach to Castle Park
The new mixed-use scheme will be made up of a series of buildings, each surrounding a landscaped courtyard. The developer promises to work with Bristol City Council and neighbours to make Temple Back and Temple Street more pedestrian and cycle friendly.
Cubex is set to begin work as soon as planning consent has been secured, with the aim of being on the site within 15 months.
Guy Goodman, clerk to Avon Fire and Rescue said: “We were delighted with the interest shown and are confident that Cubex has the capability to bring forward a design and range of uses that will provide a suitable lasting legacy for this important site.”
Initial public consultations on design are likely to begin in the autumn of this year with a start on site in 2019.
Read more: Transformation of Bristol’s former tram generator building into creative and tech hub
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