24 November 2010
Finzels Reach, Bristol’s new city quarter, has reached a
significant milestone with the completion of the first phase’s main
structure.
The high point for the development was
celebrated in a topping out ceremony hosted by main contractors,
John Sisk & Son Ltd (Sisk), at Bridgewater House, the first
office building in the development.
A team from Capita Symonds’ Bristol office is
project and cost managing the scheme, the first phase of which
includes Bridgewater House and three residential buildings - Castle
Wharf, Malt House and Hop Store.
Finzels Reach, which is being overseen by HDG
Mansur, is being built on land at the former Courage Brewery site
which has been largely derelict for ten years. The £255m scheme
will become home to around 1,000 people and will include shops,
cafes, restaurants, offices and open public spaces, making it a
thriving cultural, social and retail centre in the heart of the
city.
The one million sq ft development will
specifically comprise 399 apartments, 400,000 sq ft of offices and
87,000 sq ft of shops, cafés and leisure facilities.
Work on the superstructure of Bridgewater
House began in March, making it the largest speculative office
development on site outside London. When complete the building will
offer 110,524 sq ft of Grade A office space and is set to be BREEAM
‘Excellent.’
The latest release of apartments went to the
market in early October, comprising one and two bedroom apartments
housed in a new waterside building called Castle Wharf. There are
200 apartments in the first residential phase of Finzels Reach, of
which only 57 now remain for sale.
Chris Read, head of development for HDG
Mansur, says: “Finzels Reach is Bristol city centre’s first true
mixed-use scheme and is already a significant new landmark. When
complete, the scheme will provide a vibrant and sustainable place
to live, work and play. Today marks a key milestone in the progress
of the development and over the next few months we will be working
towards the completion of the first phase which is due in spring
2011.”
Nigel Warnes, director major projects, Sisk
commented: “We have now reached a stage where the structures are in
place and will be working on completing the fabric of the
buildings. It is an exciting phase where we can see one of the UK’s
largest developments taking shape every day. Sisk is very proud to
be part of this project that will really put Bristol on the map for
21st century living.”
Lucy Rutland, Capita Symonds, said: “The
Ceremony marks a key stage in this exciting project which will
create a new destination quarter within Bristol’s city centre. A
huge amount of work has already been completed and we look forward
to working on the rest of the scheme through to its successful
completion.”