Soapworks District, Bristol UK
Bristol City Council has resolved to grant planning permission and listed building consent to mixed-used developer First Base for the £175 million regeneration of the Soapworks site. The masterplan, designed by Woods Bagot, will drive Bristol’s economic recovery from Covid-19 by delivering a mix of modern workspace, new homes and a new retail and food offer close to the city centre.
The new district will comprise two new buildings alongside the sensitive restoration of the Grade II listed Soapworks building, originally a soap factory dating back to the 1860s, set within an enhanced public realm.
The scheme will deliver 140,000 sq ft of flexible workspace to meet demand in the city centre where availability to over the past twelve months as corporates shift to a hub and spoke office model and increase their footprint in key regional cities.
Soapworks will also deliver up to 243 new Build-to-Rent homes (with 20% affordable) and create space for independent retail and a vibrant food and drink offer, including Bristol’s first purpose-built food hall.
The development will be set around a new public square including biodiverse green spaces and will create new pedestrian and cycle routes to the city’s commercial centre at Temple Quay and the cultural quarter at Old Market.
“We are absolutely delighted with the outcome and cannot wait to see the iconic Soapworks building brought back into full public use.”
Talk to Julian Cross about Bristol Soapworks
Soapworks will support Bristol’s One City Plan and Climate Strategy by re-vitalising an underused brownfield site, supporting active travel and utilising 100% renewable energy.
The project will deliver over £200 million of social value, including employment, apprenticeship and training opportunities for local people. First Base has also committed to the Bristol Property Inclusion Charter, which pledges to support women, LGBT+, BAME and other groups under-represented in the construction sector.