News / city centre
Plans submitted for ‘once-in-a-generation’ revival of Galleries site
The site of a shopping centre which has dominated the skyline of Broadmead since it was built in 1991 will undergo a “once-in-a-generation” transformation, said developers who want to demolish it and replace it with a huge, mixed-use development.
An outline planning application for the Galleries Shopping Centre’s redevelopment been formally sumbitted to Bristol City Council which would open up the city centre to Castle Park.
The plans see the 30-year-old building and ajoining car park torn down to make way for hundreds of new homes, shops, leisure, restaurants, health and community spaces, a new hotel and accommodation for 750 students.
is needed now More than ever
Those behind the scheme said their aim is to “create a world-class, sustainable, vibrant destination, one which will help reinvigorate Bristol’s city centre, responding positively to the changing ways we now live, work and shop”.
The Galleries Shopping Centre was built 34 years ago – photo: Martin Booth
The plans see the decades-old building replaced with a mixed-use development – image: Deeley Freed
The plan has been proposed by the owners of the land, Clifton-based developers Deeley Freed and LaSalle Investment Management.
They believe that the proposals, if approved, would provide a major boost to the city, delivering much-needed housing and workspace as well as responding to the changing retail environment.
The developers believe the new development is “an amazing, once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a world-class, sustainable, vibrant destination” – photo: Martin Booth
It is hoped the scheme will transform the site into “a much more diverse and landscape-rich environment” – image: Deeley Freed
The plans include up to 450 homes, 20 per cent affordable; 10,000 sqm of ground floor space for retail, leisure, food and beverage, health, and community uses; employment space of around 40,000 sqm; a 250-room hotel or aparthotel; up to 750 student beds and 1.5 acres of public realm and green space.
Deeley Freed’s Max Freed said: “We’re delighted to have submitted this planning application after a lengthy pre-application process. This is a vital scheme for Bristol and we’re very thankful to all those who have got involved in the consultation that has been going on for four years.
“This is a once in a generation chance to re-invent, revitalise and modernise such a large part of the city centre.
“Our vision involves completely transforming this inward-looking, 1980’s shopping centre, making the site more diverse, safe and green.
“The development opens up the city centre to Castle Park, with a real focus on addressing Bristol’s priorities around housing, health and wellbeing, climate, ecology, tourism and the economy.
“In response to feedback through the planning process, we’ve increased the public open space, incorporated more community space and reduced the height of the tallest element.”
The application is expected to be live on the council’s planning portal shortly with determination anticipated later in 2024. The shopping centre remains open as usual.
Main photo: Deeley Freed
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