A major redevelopment of part of Bristol’s Old City including extensive regeneration of some of its most historic buildings has been unveiled.
The plans include buildings fronting Broad Street, including Natwest Court and the ornamental Everards Printing Works building with its unique Art Nouveau façade.
These buildings will be preserved and landscaped as part of the new plans with Everards Printing Works intended to become the grand entrance of a new hotel. 
The regeneration site, pictured right, includes a mix of listed buildings and more modern structures. It is centred on Broad Street, pictured below, one of the four original streets around which Bristol was founded in Saxon times.
In between the buildings is a fascinating network of medieval streets and passageways.
Behind the scheme is Edinburgh-based Artisan Real Estate Investors, which is working closely with Bristol architects Alec French to manage the renovations.
Artisan said the extensive proposals for the mixed-used regeneration project would bring a wealth of opportunity to the city and had been carefully considered to ensure minimum disruption to the local community and a focus on environmental sustainability.
It said an experienced team with a strong reputation in Bristol will be drafted in to minimise the risk to adjoining listed buildings during the works, including the Grade I listed St John’s the Baptist church. 
Artisan property director Clive Wilding said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to redevelop such a historic area that is currently under-utilised. Bristol is a unique city with a fantastic story to tell and we look forward to bringing this site back to life.
“We’re keen to complement the City Council’s aspirations for the Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy by improving accessibility and creating new employment, living and leisure opportunities to benefit the local community.”
A programme for progressing a planning application has yet to be agreed with the city council, but updates will be provided through the local media as plans develop.
Once completed, the proposed site will include a 250 room, 4-star hotel with meeting and conference facilities, a five-storey residential block of one-bed and studio flats, further serviced apartments in a separate three-storey block and units for shops and eateries.
Robin Gray of Alec French said: “Having designed Natwest Court when it was built in the 1970s, it is wonderful for Alec French Architects to be able to return to re-purpose the building.
“There are some breath-taking views and vantage points from the building and we will be incorporating these into the design to create exceptional guest accommodation and private residences, and plan to fully utilise the roof space in a way that is sensitive to the adjoining historical buildings.”
Artisan have carefully assembled their team of consultants for their extensive knowledge of Bristol and the historic buildings within the site and will aim to operate within the local supply chain.
