It housed the fighter planes that helped win the Battle of Britain before providing space for valuable research toward the world-famous Concorde - but now Hangar 16U at the former Filton Airfrield stands empty.
This, however, could soon change with the Grade II-listed hangar set for restoration as part of a major development which will see a brand new neighbourhood built on the historic site.
The construction of the hangar - which is located to the north of the airfield near Heyes Way, can be traced back to 1915 when planning began for an Aircraft Acceptance Facility for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).
The new facility needed to be conveniently close to The Bristol and Colonial Aeroplane Company, whose founder Sir George White had established Filton Airfield in 1910.
It is believed that the hangar itself was built in 1917 during the First World War - making it more than 100 years old.
Following the war and throughout the 1920s and thirties it acted as a service facility for the RAF.
During the Second World War it was used to house Spitfires and Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft.
And during the war American soldiers who were based in the area supposedly referred to the area just west of the hangar as “Palm Beach” as it used to be a good spot for sunbathing.
After the war, ownership transferred to the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which forms part of what is now known as BAE Systems.
Then during the fifties, sixties and seventies, 16U was used for research and development throughout the period that the Brabazon airliner, and subsequently Concorde, were built in the hangars across the airfield - known as the Brabazon hangars.
Unfortunately Hangar 16U has been empty for some time and remains fundamentally as it was originally built - including its original Belfast truss roof, with its very distinctive timber lattice construction.
But now there’s a chance that the historic hangar could be brought back into use and become an integral part of the brand new neighbourhood planned for the airfield.
Malaysian firm YTL Developments plans to build 2,675 homes on the site and this week work began to build the first 278 homes.
But it’s not only homes that will make up the new Brabazon neighbourhood, the site will also contain a number of parks and green spaces, cycle lanes, allotments and even a lake for wild swimming.
As well as three new schools, a health centre, library, retail and leisure facilities and 62 acres of employment space.
But YTL also has plans for Hangar U16 and wants to bring it back into community use either as a cafe/restaurant, and arts space, a community hall or a nursery/creche.
The firm says it is currently looking for operating partners for these facilities and asks that any interested companies or organisations to contact workspace@ytldevelopments.co.uk.
Jon McDiarmid, director, YTL Developments, said: “Hangar 16U is a beautiful historic building, and will have a prime location spilling out onto the new Brabazon Park. Once restored, it will be a major landmark for Brabazon, and a central hub for the new community.”
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