Bristol City Council has announced bold proposals to redevelop their B Bond warehouse into 96 residential flats. This historic shift represents a huge step forward for restoring Bristol’s city center and floating harbor. The proposal would convert the Grade-II listed ex-tobacco warehouse which fronts the river Avon. This revitalization will produce new residential and residential-commercial mixed-use space, injecting renewed life into this storied section of the city’s core.
The B Bond warehouse, a large red brick structure adorned with graffitied walls, has a rich history of storing tobacco before import duties were paid. The site is located in the Western Harbour Regeneration Area. To that end, it’s crucially important for revitalizing Bristol’s urban landscape. As the plans stand now, they would deliver just 96 homes. Of these, 58 will be for sale, 29 will be for social rent and 9 will be affordable homeownership products.
This development would be an exciting new chapter for the formerly vacant B Bond warehouse. It further bolsters bigger city-led urban renewal efforts across the metro area. A Bristol City Council report states, “This warehouse is part of the Western Harbour Regeneration Area, a key part of the continuing regeneration of Bristol’s city centre and floating harbour.”
Presently, the B Bond warehouse is used as a depository for other city council mandates. Behind the recent plans is an exciting departure—returning residential life to a history-rich neighborhood once called home by thousands. The new development will provide a stylish, contemporary housing option and help save the architectural treasure that is the building itself.
The concrete pathway from the B Bond warehouse connects directly to the viaduct bridge. This relationship strengthens the experience of the site as an integral part of its energetic context. This new pedestrian connection will improve accessibility for all users and encourage community activity in the newly revitalized area.
As part of the regeneration project, the B Bond warehouse is not alone. Nearby lies the C Bond warehouse, which remains under the management of a storage company and is not included in the current development plans.
