Real estate adviser GVA has marked 50 years of helping shape Bristol, having worked on some the city’s largest property developments over the past half a century.
The group opened its first office in the city in Queen Square city in 1968, before moving to Park Row. Its most recent relocation was to the new St Catherine’s Court in Clifton. It currently employs 80 people in Bristol.
During its 50 years in the city, GVA has been closely involved with many of the major changes that have helped transform Bristol’s property landscape, such as the creation of out of-town retail and leisure destination The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, the Cabot Circus city centre retail scheme, the Temple Quay office park, and the Avonmouth logistics hub.
It has also undergone a number of name changes, having rebranded several times from various forms of the original names of its two component firms, Grimley and JR Eve, to GVA Grimley and, most recently, to GVA.
As part of its celebrations the firm invited clients and staff to a party at the recently opened Hotel du Vin Bristol Avon Gorge.
GVA Bristol regional senior director Gordon Isgrove said: “It’s fantastic that we have reached our 50th anniversary in Bristol providing commercial property advice across the spectrum.
“GVA continues to be involved with some of the key developments in the region which have certainly assisted in the growth of the city and attractiveness as a place to live and work.
“The key to our success in the last 50 years has been our people, many of whom have been with the company for long time, which is testament to them and the culture in which we work.
“Looking forward to the next 50 years, there are a number of schemes that will help take Bristol forward, such as Bristol Temple Quarter. Ensuring there is the right business space and homes available for this great city to succeed in the future and compete both nationally and internationally, is vital to its success.”
GVA is itself moving into a new era having recently merged with global real estate adviser Avison Young.
Gordon continued: “Joining with Avison Young provides a fantastic opportunity for all our staff and clients to benefit from its global positioning particularly within the North American market. We look forward to building on our long-standing client relationships through becoming a part of the Avison Young global real estate advisory business and bringing the brand to the South West for the first time.”
The group now has 1,500 employees in 15 offices in the UK, Ireland and Poland.
Pictured, GVA regional senior directors, past and present, celebrate the firm’s 50 years in Bristol. From left: Mark Brunsdon, Jo Davis, Gordon Isgrove, Derek Chamberlain and David Mace
