Wainbridge has submitted plans to redevelop a 1970s Bristol office block into student accommodation.
The planning application for Froomsgate House includes:
• 438 student bedrooms
• New ground floor active uses comprising 3,329 sq ft of commercial space (A1, A3, A4, D1)
• A new public plaza and associated public realm enhancements and landscaping
• Improvements to the external appearance of the building
• The removal of both of the existing bridges linking Froomsgate House to Trafalgar House/Drake House and Greyfriars.
The block will be vacant by the end of the year. Jones Lang LaSalle advised on planning.
Associate director Kevin Hunt said: “The redevelopment of Froomsgate House will promote the regeneration of this part of Bristol and will deliver an active and lively use which helps to link Broadmead and the City Centre.
“The removal of the walkways has been a long-standing aspiration of the local community and we’re pleased to be able to deliver what they’ve long been asking for.
“We have worked with the council and the local community to bring forward these proposals, which represent a major investment in the city. As well as helping to meet continuing demand for student accommodation this project will also bringing wider environmental and economic benefits in the form of new retail/leisure space and vastly improved public space”.
Wainbridge principal Rob Rackind added: “Froomsgate House was one of Wainbridge’s first investments, and we are excited about improving this high profile building and creating an attractive new facility for city’s large student population and the local community. As an alumnus of Bristol UWE myself, I have particularly close links to the city and am committed to delivering a high quality scheme and contributing to the improvement of the local area.”
jack.sidders@estatesgazette.com
