News / Bearpit
More details revealed for new towers replacing Premier Inn
Draft designs have been drawn up of two new buildings that could replace the Premier Inn tower overlooking the Bearpit.
Olympian Homes wants to transform the site by knocking down the 1970s “unsustainable” tower and replace it with two “elegant high quality” blocks of flats.
The first, 18-storey tower would be student accommodation with 442 bedrooms. The second tower, which, at 28-storeys, could become the city’s tallest building – would provide 132 “co-living” homes, of which 20 per cent would be ‘affordable’.
is needed now More than ever
Olympian Homes has released the first images of their vision and launched an online consultation, which is open until June 26.
The Prenier Inn overlooks the Bearpit – photo: Betty Woolerton
Whitbread, which owns the hotel chain, said it had made the decision to sell the Bearpit site because the current building “is at the end of its life”.
In its place, as well as hundreds of homes, the new scheme, which is called St James Square, would have a central courtyard cafe on the ground floor with 1,900m² of public open space.
The development would be connected Bristol Bus Station, Broadmead, St James’ Priory and the Bearpit via pedestrian routes and “extensive, secure bike storage”, with no parking for cars.
Developers add that views of the grade I-listed St James’ Priory would be opened up.
……………………………………
Read more: Charity claims Bearpit ‘has been left to rack and ruin’
……………………………………
Mayor Marvin Rees backed Olympian’s plans, calling them “exciting” on social media. Meanwhile, others lamented the lack of affordable homes and the height of the two proposed buildings.
Referrring to the above design, @garybrimson wrote: “The second image is absolutely horrifying to look at. The history and real architecture just being overwhelmed wiped out almost, by 20th and now 21st century developments which show no empathy to their surroundings. You can’t blot out crap by building even bigger crap.”
The hotel was originally built as the the offices for Avon County Council in 1972 and was reported as a hotel in 1999 – photo: Betty Woolerton
Olympian Homes’ senior development manager Oliver d’Erlanger said: “There is a real opportunity to transform this unwelcoming site into a place with attractive and safe public spaces that much better connect Broadmead, Bristol Bus Station, the Bear Pit and St James’ Park, and open up views to the listed St James’ Priory. That’s exactly what we propose to do.
“We have pulled together an award-winning team of architects and landscape architects to reimagine this prominent city centre site with two new landmark buildings and opening up two-thirds of the ground floor for public space.
“We really welcome everyone’s feedback, so please visit our consultation website and tell us what you think.”
The ground floor cafe would be open to residents and the public – image: Olympian Homes
The scheme would have pedestrian links to the surrounding area but no parking – image: Olympian Homes
“Extensive planting and green spaces” are part of the designs – image: Olympian Homes
Olympian is holding an online consultation at www.stjamessquarebristol.co.uk. The developer is also holding an online presentation and Q&A session on June 20 from 6pm until 7.30pm. Anyone can register via the website.
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read next:
- Plans to knock down Za Za Bazaar would cause ‘unacceptable harm’
- Former Avon HQ overlooking Bearpit could be repalced by two new towers
- End of an era as Bearpit bear dismantled
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
