Castle Park View is located to the southeast of Castle Park, Bristol’s largest urban green space. Positioned on the site of a medieval castle and the culverted River Frome, with close proximity to the main A4044, Cabot Circus shopping centre and nearby offices. The project presented a complex set of constraints and considerations, and successfully delivered early and within budget.
Project successes:
- Sustainability: Connection to the new Castle Park Water Source Heat Pump, along with photovoltaics, will reduce the energy needed to heat the building by 80%. Passive design measures including low g-value to achieve 55% carbon reduction over current Building Regulations. Three brown roofs enhance biodiversity & ecology, including a wildflower meadow for bees and pollinating insects.
- Regeneration: The 26-storey landmark tower casts a new skyline across the city with the 6 metre castellations reflecting the original castle. The tower is now Bristol’s tallest building at 88m transforming the derelict site into a vibrant new space.
- Respecting Local History: The historic nature of the site was respected through the presence of local archaeologists to monitor groundworks for any items of historical interest. The structural integrity of the historic moat, which runs directly through the middle of the site, was protected by the construction of a new bridge supporting the public realm area above.
- Safety and Quality: Fire Safety was a key requirement in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. As a result, the development was subjected to independent EWS 1 survey and Fire Risk Assessment on the instruction of the client at the beginning of 2022. The completed buildings were in full compliance with all legislation, avoiding the need for costly remedial works and prioritising the safety of all future residents.
- Modern Method of Construction: Innovative slip form construction was used as an alternative to jump forming to build the central lifts and services core of the tower. A bespoke modular unitised cladding system, tailored to create a strong visual presence and to reflect the site’s history, quality and compliance with UK building regulations, was assured by robust testing in a purpose-made laboratory.
- New Homes: 300 private rental homes ranging from studios to two-bedroom homes, alongside 75 affordable homes (shared ownership and rental) equating to an impressive 20% affordable accommodation.
- Community: Social and Local Economic Added Value (SLEV) totalling £38m was delivered, exceeding target on local supply chain spend.
Three Winning Facts:
- Castle Park View was handed over in April 2022 at a cost of £96m within the budget, two weeks earlier than the contracted completion date – a considerable achievement considering the unforeseen challenges posed by the Brexit-related impacts to global supply chain and materials and labour availability, Covid and a complex city centre site.
- Castle Park View was the first commercial development connected the Bristol Heat Network. CPV residents will be provided on-demand energy through the Castle Park Water Source Heat Pump, which is the largest in the country, creating zero-carbon heat for around 5,000 homes and businesses.
- A bespoke modular unitised cladding system was used in Bristol for the first time. Off-site manufacture also served to accelerate the programme and simplified the method of installation.
