Our proposal

Watch our video tour of the proposed site

The creation of 1,900m² of new public open space – two thirds of the site’s area (63%)
Attractive and welcoming landscaping with a new central courtyard café, extensive planting and green spaces
Clearly orientated and safe pedestrian routes through the site connecting Bristol Bus Station, Broadmead, St James’ Priory and the Bear Pit
Opening up views to the historic St James’ Priory, currently largely hidden behind the Beefeater
Removing an unsustainable, 20 storey 1970’s building at the end of its life
Two elegant high quality new buildings – one 18 storeys, the other 28 storeys
One building would be for co-living homes, the other for student accommodation
Of 132 co-living homes, 20 per cent would be affordable with local housing allowance rents

63 per cent of the site’s ground floor would become newly created public open space
This 1,900m² of space is equivalent to more than seven doubles tennis courts
At the heart of the scheme will be a community courtyard with trees and seating around a café open to everyone
Glazing on the ground floor of all buildings with activity inside will help create a space that’s safe and vibrant
Public art within the scheme

Safe and active pedestrian routes through the site, connecting the Bear Pit, Broadmead, St James’ Park and Bristol Bus Station
A proper welcome for anyone using the bus station, with clear signposting and easy, direct footpaths
Views of Grade 1 Listed St James’ Priory – currently partly blocked by the Beefeater – will be opened up
Connection made to the Bear Pit subways, should they remain as part of the council’s longer term plans

High quality design and materials proposed, critical in creating truly landmark buildings
Elegant slimline elevation facing East towards Bear Pit
The buildings will be divided into three design and material sections – top, middle and bottom – to provide variation and visual interest
The top of each building has a ‘crown’ section with two storey high vertical ‘fins’
Alternating textured panels break up the façade and create movement across the elevation
Glazing at the ground floor of all buildings will help ensure the site is visually permeable, making it safe and lively
The ground floor – currently two levels – will be simplified into a single level
Plant, bin storage and secure bike storage will all located in the basement, to keep the ground floor clutter-free

Technical studies demonstrate it is more sustainable to replace the building than refurbish
Replacing the building would produce a third of the carbon emissions – across its operational life – compared to keeping it
Structural examinations of the building show it has reached the end of its life
Retaining current building footprint would prevent vital new public spaces and pedestrian connections
To minimise carbon we are reusing as much of the existing basement as possible
Zero car scheme, with extensive, secure bike storage in the basement
Potential future connection to Bristol Heat Network, with onsite renewables

Co-living is a highly successful model that’s very established in the US and increasingly across the UK
Resident suites include a double bed, kitchenette, bathroom and sofa
But they also have additional shared larger kitchens, dining rooms, and living spaces, so residents can mix if and when they choose to
The co-living building also has extensive shared social and workspaces, gym, resident cinema and other facilities like a laundrette
Each floor has a shared ‘inset’ balcony, as well as a single, large roof terrace
The ground floor café is also open to all residents and the wider public
Co-living can help create communities within the buildings and help prevent isolation
20 per cent of the 132 co-living homes would be at affordable, local housing allowance rents
Residents all pay council tax
Managed by one professional company, co-living is a much better option that HMOs
Co-living helps to reduce the pressure for HMOs

The taller building would be purpose-built, managed student accommodation, with circa 442 bedrooms
Accepting not everyone is in favour of student accommodation in Bristol, it serves a really important need
Housing students in purpose built accommodation eases pressure on the wider housing stock in Bristol
There is a significant shortfall in purpose-bult student accommodation in Bristol.
Both the University of Bristol and University of West of England play a huge role in the city, creating jobs, prosperity and helping advance many of the things we all rely on like healthcare and technology
Some locations, such as this, are much more suitable for student accommodation than for longer term family homes
Students are simply young people who also need a home while they are staying in the city
Students also spend significant sums in the local economy, supporting existing and new businesses

Careful liaison sought with all neighbours, including Bristol Bus Station
Drop-off and arrival spaces on Cannon Street, all pre-arranged with 24/7 onsite management
Turning ‘head’ on Cannon Street – with dropped bollards – for waste and recycling collection
Detailed construction management plan to be agreed with the council, learning from lessons of other completed schemes
Disruption will be kept to an absolute minimum
Anticipated timescales: demolition to start Spring 2024; construction complete 2027

Whitbread – which owns Premier Inn – has four trading hotels in Bristol city centre, including at Lewins Mead which serves the same catchment
While the Haymarket Premier Inn remains open, Whitbread has made the decision to sell the site for redevelopment given the age of the building and the cost of bringing it up to current Premier Inn brand standards
The business is continuing to invest in Bristol city centre and is looking for new locations for Premier Inn in the Harbourside and Temple Quarter areas of the city