Bristol-based architectural practice AWW, which has been responsible for some of the city’s highest-profile buildings in recent years, is to relocate its studio to an office conversion scheme it has designed.
Pivot + Mark, pictured, on the corner of Baldwin Street and Queen Charlotte Street in the city centre and formerly known as Bridge House, is being comprehensively refurbished and repositioned into Grade A offices.
AWW’s plans are creating 30,870 sq ft of modern space over the building’s seven storeys with a stylish new entrance, pictured below, a collaborative work lounge, informal meeting space and occupier coffee bar.
Conversion work is expected to complete in the final quarter of this year.
AWW has taken 6,407 sq ft on the second floor of the building – leaving 27,100 sq ft over its first to sixth floors available to let.
Development management firm V7, which has an office in Bristol’s Paintworks, advised Bridge House landlord CBRE Global Investors on the decision to buy, refurbish and reposition the striking round-fronted building.
Superfast internet connections have been installed along with 70 new cycle spaces and lockers, eight new showers and a dedicated drying room which have been rated Cyclescore GOLD standard.
Property consultancy Knight Frank advised CBRE Global Investors in the transaction, with AWW represented by Carter Jonas.
AWW, which was founded in 1974 and also has bases in London and Plymouth, provides architectural, masterplanning and interior design services across all sectors worldwide.
Its recent Bristol projects have included South Bristol Community Hospital and office schemes at the Chocolate Factory in Keynsham, Glassfields at Temple Quay, Finzels Reach and 66 Queen Square.
It is relocating to Pivot + Mark after 15 years at Rivergate House on nearby Redcliff Street.
AWW practice director Mark Alker-Stone said the practice was excited to be moving up the road to the newly refurbished space.
“We are immensely proud to occupy space within this newly refurbished office building that our architects and interior design team have delivered alongside V7, a space that inspires and truly reflects our practice ethos and an environment that will complement our collaborative approach to design solutions,” he said.
V7 director Matt Leach added: “We are thrilled that AWW has committed to Pivot + Mark and can’t wait to see them operating out of the building.”
Knight Frank Bristol partner Andy Smith said AWW’s decision was a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to what it has designed and is delivering at Pivot + Mark.
“In bringing forward the design, thought has been given to changing work practices and business needs,” he said
Andrew Hardwick, partner at Carter Jonas which acquired the space for AWW, added: “AWW made a detailed assessment of the market and identified that a building the practice knew well actually provided the solution to the property requirement.
“That knowledge of Pivot + Mark, combined with trust in the landlord’s team, enabled the transaction to be shaped in the most challenging possible period of lockdown, and allowed the move itself to be achieved against a tight timetable. It has been a great example of all sides pulling together to achieve a common goal.”