Number One Bristol
Transforming a 1970s office building into Bristol's ‘number one’ apartment building.
Our client said….
O’LearyGoss Architects designs for Number One Bristol have completely regenerated what was once a disused 1970’s office building into a first rate, exceptionally sought after, residential address in the heart of Bristol’s city centre…O’LearyGoss Architects worked with us from initial concept designs to the end of construction to ensure that the Number One Bristol development was delivered both as a commercial success and an enhancement to the centre of the city.
- Stuart Gaiger, Director, The PG Group
The Story
In 2014, the PG Group acquired Lewins Place, a dated 1970s office building in Bristol, with the vision of transforming it into a sought-after residential development. They entrusted us with the design of this ambitious conversion project.
The building presented a number of challenges. Comprised of two interconnected tower, one 7 storeys and the other 15 storeys high, the structure was a typical example of its era: uninsulated concrete, small windows, a lacklustre facade, and no outdoor space. Internally, the low floor-to-ceiling height of just 2.6 meters further constrained design options. Adding to the complexity, the existing structure meant that incorporating additional fire escapes was not feasible.
Despite these hurdles, our client was determined to create Bristol's ‘number one’ apartment building, a goal we shared. Through close collaboration with structural and fire safety consultants, we developed a design to convert the building into 148 modern apartments, complete with high-quality amenities and robust fire safety measures. The provision of high quality amenity spaces was also a key part of the brief, and included in early sketch designs.
To enhance the building's aesthetic appeal and bring in more natural light, we extended all windows to floor level. We designed innovative balconies that could be seamlessly integrated later in the construction process, ensuring minimal disruption to the newly installed thermal insulation and windows. As a result, the majority of apartments now boast spacious private balconies.
A key feature of the transformation was the creation of a stunning rooftop garden on top of the lower tower. Accessible from a new communal garden room, this green oasis provides residents with a outdoor retreat for both individual and communal use. In keeping with our commitment to sustainability, this new garden room was constructed using straw bale technology with a ‘biodiverse’ brown roof.
The top storey, originally a solid concrete structure housing plant equipment, underwent a dramatic metamorphosis. By collaborating with structural engineers to create large openings in the concrete, we were able to convert this previously unused space into six luxurious duplex penthouses with double height living rooms.
The project was delivered under a "develop and construct" contract, and we remained closely involved throughout the entire process, providing comprehensive construction packages for the main contractor.
This remarkable transformation has not gone unnoticed. The re-named Number One Bristol was shortlisted for both the RICS Residential Award 2018 and the RICS Innovation Award 2018, and received a Highly Commended recognition in the Insider Property Awards South West 2018.
Project Team:
Consulting structural & civil engineers: Hydrock
Fire consultant: FRaMS
Cost consultant / PM: Riverstone
Main contractor: Bray & Slaughter