New look for Bristol’s historic centre underway

Work is now well underway on the £500M Bristol City Centre regeneration programme, the largest project to take place in the city since World War II reconstruction.

The scheme consists of a four-storey, 170,000ft² flagship department store, to be occupied by House of Fraser, a further 15 major stores and more than 100 new shops set in three new streets.

There will be over 2,600 car park spaces, new cycle routes, bus and coach stops and numerous dedicated public spaces, including a new square around Quakers Friars, featuring shops, restaurants and residential apartments

One of the focal points will be a new covered civic space in front of the proposed department store and an adjacent 100,000ft² cinema complex with 3,000 seats and 13 state-of-the-art auditoria.

There will also be 242 residential units including 24 affordable homes in the heart of the city and more than 310,000ft² of new office space with associated car parking.

The development, which is due for completion in Autumn 2008, is being undertaken by the Bristol Alliance, a joint venture between Land Securities and Hammerson.

Approximately 13,500t of steelwork will be supplied and erected on site by Severfield-Reeve.