The historic Silverthorne Lane area is back in business providing much needed office accommodation for Bristol firms.
Commercial property specialists Bruton Knowles have been negotiating short-term leases on space within the former St Vincent’s Yard as occupiers struggle to find suitable space close to the city centre.
Bristol Head of Agency Paul Williams said office fit-out specialists Amarelle had agreed terms on 2,318 sq ft of space in the Front Offices, and alternative education charity Include have signed up for 6,712 sq ft in the adjacent Annexe building.
Paul Williams said: “We were pleasantly surprised to discover that there are plenty of people willing to look at such locations – largely because of the increasing shortage of modern commercial property in Bristol, which in turn is due in part to the number of buildings which have been sold for conversion to residential use and to provide additional student accommodation.
“Silverthorne Lane is central to the city’s industrial heritage and its ornamental gateways, arches and crenelated turrets – reminiscent of a fairytale castle – are a familiar landmark for commuters.
“Situated on the eastern edge of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone with a number of Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings, re-developing the area requires a careful approach and it will inevitably take time for a masterplan to be drawn up. In the meantime our clients were seeking to achieve some income from these properties which were standing empty following the departure of the previous occupants.
“The St Vincents Works premises provide economical alternative workspace on the fringe of the city centre, and whilst not perhaps what you would call glamorous, both the Front Offices and the Annexe building are ideally suited to their new occupiers requirements.”
He said: “As well as offering flexible studio style office accommodation, both locations were available on short leases and come with on-site parking – which is also permanently at a premium in the city centre.”
Savills acted for Amarelle, whilst Include were unrepresented.
