More details have been revealed about plans to transform the Gardiner Haskins' historic soapworks factory site and build an aprt-hotel, office space and 150 homes in a 20-storey tower block.
It was announced in June that historic Bristol retailer Gardiner Haskins had sold off the old soapworks factory which it occupied for 60 years.
The grade II-listed building was snapped up by property developer First Base and is set to be transformed into homes, offices, cafés and restaurants and an apart-hotel.
The developer has said it plans to spend £175million on the mixed-use scheme and will work “closely” with Bristol City Council and architects Woods Bagot to deliver a “vibrant new district”.
Gardener Haskins is still trading from new showrooms in the Brunel rooms opposite the Soapworks site.
First Base has now launched the second phase of its consultation ahead of submitting a planning application to the council later this year.
It has shared more details about what it has planned for the site, which includes transforming the interior of the soapworks building into co-working space, with bars, cafes and restaurants on the ground floor.
Next door, in the former Gardiner Haskins' building where the main entrance to the store used to be, is where the office space will be located.
And the final part of the development - which borders the Gardiner Haskins car park, New Kingsley Road and Old Bread Street - will be where the residential aspect and apart-hotel will be located.
First Base has revealed that the plans include 150 homes - 20 per cent of which will be affordable. The apartment block will be up to 20 storeys high and sit on the corner of New Kingsley Road and Old Bread Street.
Meanwhile the apart-hotel will sit on the corner of Russ Street and New Kingsley Road.
First Base has said its proposals for the site include a celebration of local food and drink, with space for pop-up cuisine and market stalls, organic cafés, independent restaurants and cocktail bars.
In addition, it will be creating new public open space for the community to benefit from, including residential courtyards, public squares and pedestrian/cycling links through the site.
Around 1,400 jobs are expected to be created as a result of the development, not including the construction jobs.
The developers will be running an informal street stall outside Marks and Spencer in Broadmead from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, October 26.
The property was originally a factory belonging to Christopher Thomas & Brothers, which manufactured soap and candles, and dates back to the 1860s.
The building was occupied by Gardiner Haskins from 1958 until December 2018, when the retailer moved into the Brunel Rooms on Broad Plain.
The move was part of a big restructure which saw Gardiner Haskins downsize and open a luxury kitchen, bathroom and bedroom store opposite.
To find out more and to take part in the consultation visit The Soapworks website.
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