News / wapping wharf
CARGO Work at Wapping Wharf set to go ahead
Wapping Wharf’s hugely successful shipping container concept, CARGO, is set to expand to provide unique workspace in Bristol.
Developers Umberslade have been given the go-ahead to create a offices within the disused J S Fry warehouse building near the Louisiana, on the corner of Wapping Road and Cumberland Road, which will cater for around 250 people across a range of businesses.
The new development, made up of approximately 90 converted shipping containers, will be the first foray into the office sector for Wapping Wharf, currently home to a thriving collective of restaurants, shops and leisure outlets.

This is what the new CARGO WORK development is expected to look like
Umberslade bosses say they hope CARGO WORK will replicate the sense of community and entrepreneurial spirit that has emerged among the independent businesses within CARGO and CARGO 2.
Stuart Hatton, director at Umberslade, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the way Bristol has embraced Wapping Wharf, so it’s fantastic to be able to expand into the workspace sector, meeting the strong demand from businesses for a high quality, unique working environment in the very heart of the city.
“At CARGO WORK, we are taking an unusual approach to creating the building as we’ll be adapting the shipping containers and using them as ‘building blocks’ to create a completely unique, bright and airy building with a real industrial dockside feel about it.
“People working at CARGO Work will not only benefit from being close to the vibrant cultural, leisure and economic hub of the city, but will be able to enjoy the incredible array of independent restaurants, cafes, shops and more right on their doorstep, not to mention the beautiful harbourside setting.
“We have already received huge interest in CARGO Work so it’s excellent news that we can now press on with turning our exciting plans into reality. ”
Under the plans, drawn up by Alec French Architects, the walls of the disused warehouse – which were formerly part of the old Bristol jail – will be restored and new workspace will be built inside.
The new development will have five levels, including the ground floor, and will also include some car parking, a café area with outside seating, a shower suite, 24-hour access, a drying room, lockers and secure bicycle store.
Work is due to start before Christmas, with completion expected towards the end of 2019.