The Welcome Building, a new type of workspace for Bristol being delivered in a joint venture between EPISO 5, a fund managed by Tristan Capital Partners, and Candour, has achieved an important construction milestone as the building reached its highest point. Main contractor, Wates is set to complete the work in Q1 next year.
The Welcome Building, designed by Darling Associates Architects, will deliver a new type of workplace for Bristol. This 207,000 sq ft landmark in the city centre will reset the bar for sustainability by targeting optimal energy efficiency and a commitment to creating a healthy environment for all who work there.
The building will have a unique street on the ground floor to host events, with an open kitchen as well as interactive art and help to foster a collaborative business community. The Welcome Building offers the largest available floorplates in the city that range from 22,000 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft, and are open and reconfigurable to suit the changing patterns of working life – be that group collaboration or places for individual focus.
The building will be an all-electric workspace, including PV cells on the roof and targeting Net Zero Carbon in operation. It will set new standards for occupier wellbeing as it will be the first Bristol office development to target Well Platinum Certification, alongside BREEAM Outstanding and Five at Heart Platinum, with consideration given to everything from biodiversity to the enhanced end of trip facilities for cyclists, runners, and in-house gym users.
The building is also connected to the Bristol Heat Network, from which it will extract all of its heat load. This naturally sourced and low carbon heat is procured from the zero-carbon water source heat pump at Castle Park energy centre at a lower capital and operational cost, which will also provide greater security for tenants against fluctuating energy tariffs, and means that there will be no polluting combustion whatsoever on site.
Toby Pentecost, Co-Founder at Candour commented: “The topping out ceremony is always a significant moment with the building opening now only 6 months away. We’ve put a lot of emphasis on embracing wellness and sustainability throughout the build design and we’re aiming to provide occupiers with an experience more in line with a high-end hotel while also delivering a building which will set new sustainability standards in terms of reducing carbon footprint and environmental impact.”
James Brodie, Managing Director at Tristan Capital Partners, added: “Providing a high-quality amenity-rich experience within the building is a differentiating factor for us and it’s great to see the development reach this important milestone. Today’s modern and environmentally conscious occupiers are looking for higher standards and we expect the Welcome Building to help set and meet these requirements.”
Mark Tant, Managing Director of Wates Construction, commented: “Now that we have completed the structure of the Welcome Building, we are able see the sheer scale and potential of this landmark building and celebrate our fantastic team and supply chain partners who have made it possible, with over 300,000 hours worked to date.
“It has been an honour to work with Candour and Tristan Capital Partners to unlock their shared vision for the site and bring forward this landmark addition to the Bristol skyline. Once complete next year, the Welcome Building will not only offer high quality, flexible space and fantastic views of the city, it will also redefine how we interact with the workplace and bring new investment, energy and excitement to the city. We are proud to have been a part of delivering this project and in supporting the wider regeneration of Bristol through our work across the city over the last ten years.”
