Bristol Arena will turn the spotlight on a host of regeneration opportunities capable of transforming the adjacent 19th century industrial heartland into a thriving business quarter to rival the Harbourside.
That’s according to Paul Matthews, Head of Bruton Knowles’ Bristol office, who said business leaders were weighing up opportunities around the long neglected area across the water from the 12,000 seater venue.
He said: “The Arena development opens up a host of development opportunities ranging from the immediate conundrum of where Arena patrons are going to park to longer term considerations such as where they might have a drink or a bite to eat. In the long term we could be talking about a thriving, multi-use leisure and residential hub to rival Bristol Harbourside.”
He went on: “The area is home to a number of businesses which take advantage of the flexible accommodation, short leases and on-site parking – which is very much at a premium in the city centre.”
Situated on the eastern edge of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, the area boasts a number of Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings.
Paul Matthews believes the next stage of development could herald a massive injection of new businesses and footfall to the area – which lies within the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.
He said: “There are extensive areas of derelict land and abandoned industrial buildings within this area which could, in the short term, be pressed in to service as overflow parking for the Arena.
“During the period before we see these sites redeveloped entrepreneurial landlords could well look to make use of their land for surface car parking which is in short supply for occupiers in the city centre.
“We regularly receive enquiries from car park operators seeking such sites.
“Although the Arena is designed to be served by pedestrian and public transport links, the majority of Bristolians accept that thousands of people will be heading to the area by car.”
Foot traffic access will be across the River Avon by the existing Cattle Market Road bridge and by a new crossing leading to the Totterdown basin.
“The immediate areas around these crossing points are likely to become prime pieces of real estate in the future as longer term developments such as cafes, hotels, creative workspace and waterside apartments are added to the Temple Quarter blueprint.”
