Wapping Wharf, Bristol

Bristol docks used to be an important industrial area with shipbuilding and warehousing in the heart of the city. Following the demise of the shipbuilding industry, a regeneration plan was devised to transform the derelict site into one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in the city.

Now known as Bristol Harbourside the £43 Million second phase of the regeneration of Wapping Wharf on the South of the harbour, features two new residential buildings ‘Abel Yard’ and ‘Hope Quay’. These comprise 256 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses to suit a variety of budgets. There are also four new retail units, concealed car and bicycle parking, plus landscaped courtyards and gardens.

The design by award winning Alec French Architects needed to reflect the area’s historic past and careful consideration was given to the materials used. An attractive mix of brick, stone and iron materials was chosen for the Wharf-style design, together with an extensive thermally efficient glazing package from Senior Architectural Systems.

The highly durable aluminium construction of Senior’s glazing systems makes them ideally suited for use on coastal and waterside buildings.

To make the most of the picturesque views of the harbour and surrounding areas, large window apertures were created using a combination of fixed light and tilt and turn SPW600 aluminium windows

For safety and security, SPW501 aluminium commercial doors were specified as panic doors with crash bars for the emergency exits, and to maximise the use of natural light Senior’s high performance SF52 aluminium curtain wall system was installed throughout the scheme.

With a focus on outside space as we learn to live with COVID, the light and airy apartments also benefit from Senior’s inward opening SPW600 aluminium doors, which have been installed to provide further ventilation and open up the living space with access to either full or Juliet-style balconies.

Developed by Umberslade and Muse Developments in a joint venture, the scheme also pays homage to the rich history of the area by incorporating the restored early 19th Century Grade II listed Gaol Gate to create a feature entrance to the neighbourhood.

Within walking distance of the M-Shed Museum, The Arnolfini (Bristol’s centre for contemporary arts), and the Lloyds Amphitheatre and adjacent to Cargo – an up-and-coming independent food, drink and shopping quarter, it’s no wonder that the majority of the new homes were bought off-plan well ahead of completion.

Wapping Wharf was recently featured in the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live supplement, which named Bristol harbourside as one of the best places to live in the UK, with Wapping Wharf named ‘best address’.