News / Cumberland Basin
EXCLUSIVE: Council-owned housing company to transform bonded warehouses
A tightrope strung between two historic bonded warehouses was the centrepiece of the launch event for Bristol’s year as European Green Capital as a daredevil cyclist traversed across the 120-metre long span.
A and B bond warehouses have for more than a century stood as permanent reminders of Bristol’s days as a port that imported goods from across the world.
Now, as part of the plans for the controversial Western Harbour development, the two imposing buildings could soon be getting new leases of life with hundreds of homes within their distinctive red brick shells.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol City Council’s own housing company, Goram Homes, is behind the plans which are set to be officially unveiled later this week.
Plans are able to progress more quickly for the two warehouses as both buildings are owned by the council, with A Bond currently used as a storage facility and B Bond housing the Create Centre.
In a currently hidden section of their website, Goram Homes write: “The iconic, Grade II listed former tobacco warehouses could be turned into 200 new homes in a refurbishment of two imposing buildings, mixing market value and affordable apartments in an historic heart of Bristol.
“The warehouses are part of the Western Harbour Regeneration Area which is a key area in the continuing regeneration of Bristol’s city centre and floating harbour.
“A programme of city-wide engagement will start in Summer 2021 to develop a vision for Western Harbour followed by a masterplan for the area. Goram Homes will undertake consultation and engagement on any proposal for this residential development.”
B and A Bond Warehouses will have rooms with a view – photo: Martin Booth
Goram Homes is a subsidiary of Bristol Holding Ltd, which is wholly owned by Bristol City Council, and was set up by the council “to build quality homes where they are needed the most”.
The two developments that have already been announced are Baltic Wharf on the former caravan site next to the Cottage pub, which could have 166 new homes; and Romney House, a brownfield site in Lockleaze where 268 new homes could be built.
B Bond Warehouse was built by the Port of Bristol Authority in 1908 for storing tobacco. It was the second of three, built a few years after A Bond and before World War One postponed building C Bond. Credit: Bristol Archives (image ref: 40724)
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Inside Bristol’s Create Centre
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