The redevelopment of one of Bristol’s long-overlooked inner city areas is gather pace after the sale of a high-profile site for £3.6m.
The derelict site on the corner of Dean Street and Wilder Street, just off Portland Square, has planning permission for 246 student bedrooms.
Agents Hartnell Taylor Cook said the sale of the building, once used by community development organisation CEED and a former base for the community radio station Ujima, reflected the ongoing transformation of the area, which it described as “one of Bristol’s newest property hotspots”.
The new five-storey student accommodation block will be the latest in the area which, after several false starts, is at last being redeveloped.
Nearby Brunswick Square is also being transformed with the One Brunswick Square office scheme now completed while in Portland Square Bristol developer Juniper Homes’ Old Shoe Factory redevelopment has created 40 luxury homes, and Barnett Developments, another local firm, has two residential schemes – Portland 88 and Portland View.
Trelawney House offices in nearby Surrey Street is being converted into apartments by Manchester-based Regency Residential.
Behind the latest scheme is Atlas Hive, a joint venture between Atlas Developments and Bristol-based developers Studio Hive.
Nic Rumble of Hartnell Taylor Cook said: “Over the past three years the area surrounding Portland Square and Stokes Croft has rapidly changed in character and appeal.
“It is one of the most significant areas in the city for new development and refurbishment with a number of the former office buildings being converted to residential.
“The square itself has some impressive Georgian buildings and with its proximity to Cabot Circus and Stokes Croft, the purchase is positive news for the local area and its revival is good news for the city.”
In a joint statement, Jason Collard of Studio Hive and Alan Chaytor of Atlas Land said: “We are very excited to have acquired this site and we look forward to working in partnership on this, our first joint venture development.
“Our aim is to contribute to the continued regeneration of Bristol and we look forward to working with Hartnell Taylor Cook on this and other projects in the area.”
Hartnell Taylor Cook advised the seller Kingsland Road Properties. Atlas Hive represented itself.
