One of Bristol city centre’s most high-profile buildings, the iconic Grade II-listed former Electricity House, is to be sold and converted it into flats.
The now-vacant building, which fronts onto The Centre and was at one time the headquarters of the Electricity Council, was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, one of most renown British architects of the 20th century and best known for designing Battersea Power Station, Liverpool Cathedral and the much-loved red phone boxes.
Developer Crest Nicholson has exchanged conditional contracts to buy the 90,000 sq ft office building, now known as West Gate, on Colston Avenue, from owner Aviva Investor’s APIA Regional Office Fund.
The firm aims to submit a planning application later this year for a residential mixed-use development, one of the first major residential projects to be put forward within Bristol’s Nelson Street Regeneration Area.
West Gate has been used as an exhibition and arts space for See No Evil outdoor art gallery events in Nelson Street.
Ben Miller from Crest Nicholson said: “The West Gate building provides an excellent opportunity for Crest Nicholson to deliver an exciting, high specification development within what is arguably one of Bristol’s most stunning 1930s Art Deco Buildings.
“Our commitment and investment to this project will seek to secure a new lease of life for this prominent building, and we look forward to working closely with Bristol City Council to ensure that the building gets the new lease of life it deserves.”
