Final designs for Phase Two of the Redcliff Quarter development have been submitted to Bristol City Council this week ahead of consideration by the Council’s planning committee on 30 November 2016.
Together with Phase One of the development, Redcliff Quarter comprises 3.3 acres of land in the heart of Redcliffe, which has lain derelict for around 20 years. The vision of developer Change Real Estate is to transform the site into a 600,000 sq ft mixed-use urban village, which will create a new vibrant quarter for the city, regenerating a critical piece of the city fabric. Situated between St Thomas Street and Redcliffe Street, the final plans now being considered by Bristol City Council include the first Radisson Red lifestyle hotel in England, a European-style food court to be run by Michelin starred chef and foodie entrepreneur Josh Eggleton, a roof-top restaurant with panoramic views over the city, cafés, 15,000 sq ft of offices as well as 317 new homes.
Responding to Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees’ aspiration to see the city’s skyline grow, Change Real Estate has submitted a revised design for the proposed central tower within Redcliff Quarter following close consultation with the Council’s Planning and Urban Design officers. The building, which includes a restaurant at ground floor and mezzanine level and residential above, now features an additional four storeys, taking the total to 22.
The revisions to the design of the tower’s Bristol Blue Glass feature, within the building structure, assists in Change Real Estate’s wish to create a slender, landmark tower. Its inclusion is a reference to the site’s post-war light industrial use by Bristol Blue Glass and the Pilkington Glass Works on the site.
Ron Persaud, Director of Change Real Estate comments, “Having listened carefully to the aspirations of Mayor Rees to implement a new policy for Bristol to “build up”, to see attractive, taller and ambitious buildings within the city, we have been working very closely with Bristol City Council to respond positively to this change.
“We have always sought to create an elegant, iconic tower for Redcliff Quarter. Releasing the height restraint that we were faced with before has allowed us to revisit the plans. Incorporating four additional storeys has also allowed for 10 additional new homes to be created.”
Contractors have been appointed for Phase One of Redcliff Quarter, which received planning consent in April 2015, comprising 128 residential units and three retail units. The residential element of phase One has recently been acquired by A2Dominion, which will market them under its FABRICA by A2Dominion brand for private rent.
Redcliff Quarter’s architecture will reflect the artisanal character and industrial heritage of this part of Bristol bringing an urban feel to the public realm. Roof top and courtyard gardens, balconies and terraces, as well as internal courtyards, will play a large part in the design to create an attractive and interesting streetscape, maximising light and enhancing the unique character of the area.
The planning application for Redcliff Quarter has received support from both businesses and local residents:
Mr John Hirst of Destination Bristol says of the scheme, “This is a great opportunity to significantly improve the area which will bring benefits for Bristol’s visitors and residents.” Local resident Mr Alexander Elliott says, “I believe that there should be more high-rise beauties in this city, as we are slowly but surely falling behind other major cities, for example Sheffield with their ‘over 100m high skyscraper’”. And Mr Colin Lang of The Galleries says, “This is a very welcome development in a key part of the city. The additional housing is important in bringing more life into this area with the addition of a good quality hotel and other commercial uses. Any development of this type, when thought through carefully as this one is, will always enhance the strength of Bristol’s overall offer.”
Bilfinger GVA has provided planning advice to Change Real Estate; Lyons Sleeman Hoare are the architects for Redcliff Quarter.