News / Harbourside
Harbourside landmark becomes Bristol’s newest listed building
One of Bristol’s most distinctive modern buildings has likely been saved from any major future development after it was given listed status by Historic England.
Built between 1988 and 1991 as “a pivotal element within the post-industrial repurposing of Bristol’s docks”, Canons House is now Grade II listed.
It means that the building constructed as offices for Lloyds Bank joins a list of other Grade II listed structures in Bristol including the Cabot Tower, Henbury village hall and the Old Duke pub.
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Canons House is made up of two buildings known colloquially as the banana and the doughnut – photo: Martin Booth
Canons House from above, showing its two distinctive buildings – photo: Bristol24/7
Historic England says that one the reasons for its designation is that is is “an accomplished Post-Modern design which combines bold geometric forms and classical devices, while referencing local motifs and traditions, and which is of the highest quality in its construction and materials”.
The building designed by Arup Associates as architects and engineers is also described as “an inventive interpretation of the classical idiom to create a building with strong civic presence, dignity and playfulness”.
Lloyds Amphitheatre was created as part of the building of Canons House – photo: Martin Booth
Now surrounded by other developments, when it was built, Canons House was an outlier in this part of the city.
For Historic England, the building is “a beacon in the post-industrial redevelopment of Bristol’s docks and the regeneration of the derelict harbourside as a thriving recreation and cultural centre”.
Times change, however, and in October 2021, Lloyds announced that Canons House is being sold, with the 2,300 staff who work there moved to a nearby office as part of a hybrid working plan.
A statement from the bank mentioned a possible “redevelopment of this very prominent site” but big changes to the building’s fabric are now unlikely thanks to its new listed status.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Landmark Bristol building to be sold
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