Two major new property schemes are under construction in one of Bristol’s key development areas as the city centre undergoes further transformation.
Legal & General’s Box Makers Yard, pictured top, retail and accommodation scheme and The Distillery, part of Royal London Asset Management’s Glassfields scheme, pictured below, form part of the latest phase of development in the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone on the edge of Old Market.
The Distillery will be made up of two buildings totalling 92,000 sq ft with a top height of nine storeys and linked by a covered street. The scheme will be a “future-proofed creative office space”, according to its agents, with a covered lawn in a new central square.
The space will be able to accommodate a diverse range of businesses – from those with 40-plus people, scale-ups, regional headquarters and corporate function departments.
The design draws on the site’s history as Bristol’s glassmaking district with the name coming from the discovery of centuries-old gin bottles there.
As a result a living wall will be built containing more than 15 gin botanicals, with copper design touches represent a gin still and piping mirrors representing the distillery process.
Stephanie Hacking of Royal London Asset Management said: “We are very excited to be delivering this new office development in Bristol. We are developing speculatively, showing our confidence in the strength of the Bristol economy and the dynamic office market. We will be delivering a unique mix of buildings centered on a new vibrant central square that will strongly appeal to local businesses.”
Andy Smith of agents Knight Frank said: “The surrounding area is currently undergoing a huge transformation and fundamental change that will cement it as one of Bristol’s prime office areas. 
“The Glassfields site will see the development of a new city square where people will be able to relax and enjoy during the summer months. As a micro-environment, this site will feel new, bright and safe.”
Legal & General has appointed the Bristol office of Carter Jonas as sole agents on two retail and leisure units, totalling 8,820 sq ft, at Box Makers Yard – a new mixed-use regeneration scheme that will also include 376 built-to-rent apartments.
The 6,294 sq ft and 2,526 sq ft retail units, currently under construction, are being marketed as a whole or separately.
The larger will have a triple frontage onto Avon Street, Old Bread Street and Providence Place and will be ready for occupation in September. The second fronts onto New Kingsley Road and Anvil Street and should complete six months later.
Tim Brooksbank, Associate, Carter Jonas said: “Box Makers Yard is a landmark development with a focus on contemporary living and connectivity. The retail space provides a great opportunity to service the large number of professional firms and residents that have taken space in the vicinity in recent years.
“The flexibility of the scheme means that there are options for local independents as well as national brands and we’re already in discussions with some exciting operators. The innovative design and engaging landscape will appeal to residents of the development and the surrounding areas, creating a vibrant hub in which businesses should flourish.”
The two schemes are among a raft of major property developments taking place in and around the Temple Quarter area.
