What is described as a 'shy fountain' is the latest example of the on-going public art programme at Crest Nicholson’s £300m Harbourside development in Bristol.
The fountain, at the intersection of Millennium Walk and Cathedral Walk, is intended to amuse passers-by as well as staff from nearby offices including those of law firm CMS Cameron McKenna and financial firm Hargreaves Lansdown.
The artwork suggests the silhouette of a shy person with an illuminated jet of water emerging from the paving then falling back against the stone flagging. It is controlled by a series of nearby sensors which react to movement. The fountain reaches its maximum height of 1.7 metres when no movement is detected but shuts off abruptly when the sensors pick up activity, leaving no trace other than a patch of wet paving.
After a short time the water slowly re-emerges, getting progressively higher until it reaches its full height again in about a minute.
Crest Nicholson sales and marketing director Susan Young said: “The importance of public art has grown to become a major element in our design strategy and an essential ingredient in creating desirable places where people want to work, live and enjoy their leisure time.
“The objective was to develop an arts vision for one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe and as you walk among the offices, shops, homes and leisure facilities you can find some exciting pieces of art – some big, some small, some temporary, some permanent. Together they create a public art trail throughout the development and the Shy Fountain is a fitting way to complete Millennium Walk.”
Crest Nicholson’s mixed-use Harbourside scheme now forms a new financial services heart of Bristol with more 500,000 sq ft let to Lloyds Banking Group, Hargreaves Lansdown and Triodos Bank.
More than half of the 2 College Square 52,000 sq ft-plus Grade A office building space has been let to CMS Cameron McKenna which is expected to move in towards the end of May.
The 67,500 sq ft Canonsgate office building on Anchor Road is available for pre-let.
DTZ and Jones Lang LaSalle are the letting agents for Crest Nicholson.
