Developers working on the redevelopment of Lakeshore in South Bristol have reached a major milestone at the new £20m Copper Building today – a 170m long structure which will soon flank the Northern boundary of the former Imperial Tobacco site.
Joint venture partners, and developers of the building Urban Splash and Places for People, alongside architect Nick Brown of Ferguson Mann, gathered on the roof of the new structure to mark the “topping out” construction milestone, which sees the 7-storey building now at its highest point. Copper Building will offer 136 new apartments for local people, many of which will be launched for sale next month.
Guy Ackernley is director of residential sales at Urban Splash – the company who restored the original Grade II Listed Cor-Ten building at the site, before turning its attentions to the land where the factory once stood. Speaking at today’s event he said: “It’s been quite the milestone reaching the building’s highest point and being able to enjoy some stunning views of the 10 acres of gardens and a panoramic aspect of the surrounding area too.”
Added Mary Parsons, Places for People: “Our working partnership with Urban Splash continues to flourish and I am delighted that we’ve marked another achievement today as we strive to bring more beautifully designed new homes to South Bristol.”
Designed by Ferguson Mann, the architecture practice founded by former Bristol Mayor George Ferguson, the new building draws its inspiration from the nearby orchards whilst also reflecting the designs of the original Skidmore, Owings and Merrill Cor-Ten building.
Nick Brown from the practice explained: “Clad in copper, the building’s warm exterior complements its adjacent Cor-ten steel cousin – the original ‘70s building – across the way. We’ve revived the original connection of the two buildings with a new entranceway that opens up a view down to the original structure, echoing that now lost connection between the factory and office. Ultimately, by designing a new building which very much has a relationship with the existing one, we’ve certainly enhanced this already awesome community.”
Elaborating on the autumn sales event – which will take place on Saturday 29th September – Guy concluded: “The homes here are going to be very special with the entire South façade featuring fully glazed balconies overlooking the original building, lake and vast outdoor space. They really are set to be stunning properties. We cannot wait to bring these much anticipated homes to market in September, before welcoming our residents next year.”
Residents moving into the building next year will benefit from 10 acres of gardens as well as being in close proximity to the centre of Bristol. Anyone wishing to register their interest ahead of the sales launch should email live@urbansplash.co.uk or visit https://www.urbansplash.co.uk/blog/designing-lakeshores-copper-building for more information.
