Coventry developer looks to replicate home success in multi-million-pound development
A Coventry developer has submitted multi-million pound plans to transform an historic waterfront site in Bristol using the best ideas from its Midlands projects.
Complex Development Projects has lodged proposals with Bristol City Council for a £30m mixed-use scheme at Redcliffe Wharf, which is one of Bristol’s last high-profile waterfront sites.
The company, also behind plans for a stalled apartment scheme in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, plans to create a major new eco office building, 36 apartments, restaurants, cafes and workshops surrounding a new waterfront square.
The design, by local architects Alec French, incorporates many of the original harbour-side features and restores historic stone warehouses into craft workshops. A pedestrian walkway will be created around the harbour side along with an open area for public events. Twelve moorings for pontoon berths have also been included in the plans.
The Bristol office of civil engineers Arup plans to move its 350 employees to the new major flagship sustainable building as the anchor tenant for the scheme.
Ian Harrabin, managing director of CDP, said the high profile scheme would be a challenge as it was situated on a difficult site that has lain derelict for over 30 years.
“The project uses many elements from our recent schemes in the Midlands such as Stuart Works in Stourbridge and FarGo Village, Electric Wharf and Priory Place in Coventry,” he said.
“We have built a reputation for working alongside local authorities to breathe new life into derelict areas and we have worked closely with Bristol Council over the past four years to bring forward an exemplary scheme for this highly visible site.
“As well as 350 Arup staff moving from another base in Bristol to Redcliffe Wharf, the development will create around 200 new jobs which is another positive boost for the local economy.”
In Coventry, the company is working on major initiatives around the River Sherbourne with Historic Coventry Trust in the city centre and as part of the 70-acre Heritage Park.
It also has major plans for a major of the canal area in Smethwick which follow on from the completion of restored canalside warehouses in Stourbridge.
“Combine this with the vibrancy of Fargo Village, which had 350,000 visitors in the past 12 months, and you have a winning formula,” he added.
Subject to planning permission, work should start early next year and the site will be fully open by late 2019.
