BAFTA award-winning creative film and digital production company BDH has moved into new studio space in the Malt House at Finzels Reach, one of Bristol’s most exciting new neighbourhoods.
Taking over the ground level studio in the Malt House building, BDH’s team of 20 film makers, designers, digital artists and producers have transformed the space into a creative hub and new home for the company.
Attracted by the modern, open plan design of the studio and the Finzels Reach community itself, BDH decided to move after 20 years in Clifton to be in the heart of Bristol. BDH, which won a BAFTA in 2018 for Best Titles and Graphic Identity for Blue Planet II, has bought the ground floor space of 1,900 sq ft from developer Cubex.
Pic Haywood, production manager at BDH, explained: “We began looking for a new location and immediately fell in love with the space in the Malt House and the vibe of Finzels Reach. There is a really lovely buzz about the area and its closeness to the beautiful waterfront and the city centre make it a fantastic place to work.
“When we saw the space was available to buy, we knew we had to have it! It was the perfect size for us to create the studio space that we wanted and really make it our own. Everyone in the team has been very enthusiastic about the move and we’re enjoying settling into this new neighbourhood. There’s lots going on – we love the Friday street food market!”
Gavin Bridge, executive director at Cubex, the developer behind Finzels Reach, said: “We’re thrilled that BDH has chosen to move to Finzels Reach, helping to bring this area to life as a thriving business hub in the heart of the city. This area is fast becoming an exciting place to work, live and relax, and it’s wonderful to see the way people have already embraced this new quarter. We expect to have some more exciting new announcements to make soon, so watch this space!”
Pic Haywood continued: “We’ve settled in really well and the open plan studio is making it easier and more efficient to work together. The clients that we’ve invited to the new studio have all said how much they like it and we’ve even got a dedicated corner for the office dogs – so everyone is happy!”
Finzels Reach is a flourishing new quarter of the city where there will be around 2,500 people living and working by the end of this year, on a site that had just a handful of workers when the Courage Brewery closed in the 1990s.
Unique office space for creative and media businesses is also being created on the first and second floors of the Fermentation Buildings, which are part of the rich brewing history at Finzels Reach, whilst Aurora, a cutting-edge, striking office building which has been recognised for its outstanding green credentials is now almost entirely let.
BDH’s move comes after software development specialist Amdaris moved into Studio A at Aurora, paving the way for the creation of a creative and technology business hub. Other businesses within Finzels Reach include financial services firm Parmenion, part of Aberdeen Standard Investments, professional recruitment and consulting specialist Experis, law firm Simmons & Simmons and intellectual property specialist Mewburn Ellis LLP, which are all based within Aurora.
With Spicer+Cole’s new café now open, a popular weekly food market, and Left Handed Giant set to open a new brewpub and brewery this summer, alongside a new restaurant by Peter Sanchez-Iglesias of Michelin Star restaurant Casamia, the neighbourhood is also tipped to become one of the city’s hottest new destinations this year.
Located less than a 10-minute walk from Temple Meads station, the striking s-shaped Castle Bridge provides easy access to the popular shopping areas of Cabot Circus, Quakers Friars and St Nicholas Market. It is close to an array of bus routes and ferries can be boarded from nearby Castle Park.
For information about the leisure space available alongside Hawkins Lane, which runs through the heart of Finzels Reach, contact Insight Retail.
