News / BBC Bristol
Big portion of BBC Bristol site for sale
Part of the historic home of BBC Bristol in Clifton is being marketed as having the potential for a number of development opportunities including commercial, office, residential and student accommodation.
An area totalling more than three acres of the site bordering Whiteladies Road, Belgrave Road and Tyndall’s Park Road is for sale through Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).
“A rare opportunity to acquire 3.28 acres in the heart of Clifton consisting of a variety of listed villas, Broadcasting House and production spaces, together with open spaces with parking to the rear,” says the listing on the LSH website.
is needed now More than ever
“Suitable for a variety of uses subject to planning.”
14 different properties are for sale within the BBC Bristol site – photo: Lambert Smith Hampton
The site, operational since 1934, was the largest BBC Studios production base outside London and previously housed the BBC’s world famous Natural History Unit.
Used as both a production and broadcasting centre, it has also been home to numerous shows’ on both television and radio including Points West, DIY SOS and Springwatch.
In May, Bristol24/7 reported on the future of the site when the broadcaster told staff that it was aiming to turn the longstanding offices into “a vibrant, flexible workspace with new technology and facilities to support our multi-media work”.
Despite the sale of much of the site and departments including BBC Studios already having moved to Finzels Reach, part of the Clifton hub will continue to host broadcasting.
BBC Bristol’s site on Whiteladies Road has been operational since the 1930s – photo: Martin Booth
Some former BBC Bristol offices on Tyndall’s Park Road were sold to the University of Bristol in April, 2020. Presently, they constitute a part of the Business School of the university.
LSH director, Roxine Foster, said: “This is one of the largest opportunities to hit the market in Clifton for several years and is likely to attract widespread interest.
“We look forward to working alongside the BBC to identify a party with an aligned vision for the long-term potential for this historic site.”
Some of the BBC Bristol offices located on Tyndalls Park Road were sold to the University of Bristol back in April, 2020, which now constitute a part of the Business School of the university – photo: Milan Perera
A combination of technological advances and changes in working practices have reduced the BBC’s requirement for a campus of this size despite the corporation remaining committed to Clifton as a location.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, a spokesperson for the BBC said: “We are proud of the BBC’s long history in Bristol and plan to continue to broadcast from the Whiteladies Road site.
“The partial sale of the site is part of an ongoing review of the BBC’s property portfolio in order to provide the best value for licence fee payers.”
Main photo: Milan Perera
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