Transformation of historic Bristol venue starting to take shape
Final behind-the-scenes images of the transformation of Bristol’s biggest concert venue have been released.
With just two months to go until Bristol Beacon opens its transformed venue, the project team behind the once-in-a-generation transformation has taken photos to provide a glimpse of the final stages of the construction programme.
The multi-million pound redevelopment of the building which was call Colston Hall is getting close to completion after years of delay and overspending.
The Willmott Dixon team has also just passed the milestone of one million hours worked on the construction since it began in 2018. In July alone, over 40,500 hours were worked, with 28 different sub-contracting firms on the site and a total headcount of around 250 people on site every day – supporting a whole range of activities including brickwork, carpentry, electrics, plastering, flooring, acoustics, fire protection, waterproofing, cleaning, organ installation and restaurant fit out.
Key activities on the construction over the summer include:
- Upper and lower balcony seating installed in Beacon Hall (the main auditorium) with fabric designed by artist Rana Begum
- Lantern Hall (the second auditorium) almost complete, with ventilation systems installed, seating in, and decorations finished
- Historic Lantern space (what will be the new bar area and public atrium) has been fitted out with flooring, bar, lighting and specially commissioned tiled artwork by Giles Round
- Restaurant fit out is taking place with catering equipment being installed and resorted chandeliers from the 1951 main auditorium taking pride of place in the new space
- In the cellar spaces, the new green room and dressing rooms are virtually complete, with final decorations being done. The education spaces are finished, awaiting final inspections and the whole area is being painted
- The public art is being installed across the building, with Linda Brothwell’s balustrade going up outside the historic Lantern foyer in the next few weeks
When the concert venue reopens, it is expected to generate at least £13m for the local economy in its first year and support more than 273 FTE jobs. Over the next 20 years, it is estimated to contribute a potential £253.7m GVA to the Bristol economy.
As a world class venue in the heart of the city, Bristol Beacon will deliver around 800 events a year, including 100 performance slots each year dedicated to championing Bristol-based artists. Seat capacity in the new venue will increase from 2,400 to 2,920, with audience numbers expected to grow from 300,000/year to 500,000.
The transformed venue, designed by architecture practice Levitt Bernstein, will also be home to a brand new music education centre. The music charity that runs the venue is also in charge of Bristol’s music education hub, delivering its music curriculum to 130 schools in the city and reaching 30,000 young people. The new, fully accessible, centre will also be able to deliver music education to
Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, said: “From the moment the final bars of James Bay’s “Hold Back the River” rang out across the hall and the audience headed home on the night of Saturday 2 June 2018, the venue, and our city around it, began a journey that’s taken many twists and turns along the way. Challenges in the shape of a building filled with unknown complexities and hidden secrets, a global pandemic, national cost of living crisis and the pressure this is putting on the construction industry, have all been navigated to get to this point. Through the efforts of funders, planners, construction workers, architects and many others, we now stand on the edge of delivering a world class venue for our city.
“Our drive to complete this work is fuelled by the knowledge that the completed venue will support over 270 jobs, generate over a quarter of a billion pounds of economic benefit for our local economy, and spearhead a social investment in our city’s communities through a high-quality music education centre and programme. The 30-year lease agreed with Bristol Music Trust to run the venue on behalf of the city will ensure the Bristol Beacon will operate both as one of our city’s premier music and entertainment venues and as a major new hub for music education and community engagement.”
Bristol Beacon chief executive, Louise Mitchell, said: “The transformation of Bristol Beacon has been an epic project that has involved hundreds of highly skilled and talented people and a truly determined team to overcome the many unforeseen challenges this complex, historic building has thrown up over the last five years.
“With just 65 days to go until it reopens, the construction team are making every effort to complete the last few tasks and the Bristol Beacon team is busy finalising the details for the reopening events and house-warming party.
“We can’t wait for the 30th November to open our doors and welcome back audiences, partners and friends for the start of this next chapter in the illustrious 155-year history. The Beacon will be one of the best concert facilities in Europe, with extraordinary new performance spaces to present every kind of music and a dynamic education centre for young musicians to develop and grow.”
Richard David, Director at Willmott Dixon commented: “We are incredibly proud of the work that’s been undertaken on Bristol Beacon. Since we began construction, our team has faced some extraordinary challenges in delivering this landmark building. We have recorded over one-million-man hours on the project, with craftspeople and experts from many trades employing their skills and knowledge in the restoration and rebuild. And now, as we move into the final stretch, it’s been privilege for Willmott Dixon to restore the Bristol Beacon into a venue that will entertain and engage many generations to come.”
Mark Lewis, associate director at Levitt Bernstein, said: Our involvement with Bristol Beacon began over 20 years ago with the delivery of the welcoming foyer building – now known as the Bridgehouse. Our subsequent work has restored the historic parts of the building, creating the new Beacon Hall within the Victorian walls, restored Lantern Hall, upgraded backstage areas, and new education spaces. The design provides for all kinds of music, audiences and participants under one roof. We are proud to have continued working with the team on such a fantastic and far-reaching project, bringing the historic fabric of the venue to life and securing its ongoing legacy for generations to come.”
Bristol Beacon’s opening night is on 30th November, with a ground-breaking new commission from the pioneering Bristol based Paraorchestra, who are working with celebrated electronic composer Surgeons Girl and AV experts Limbic Cinema to create a dynamic audio visual collision of sound and light heralding the rebirth of Beacon Hall.
