Finzels Reach, the new quarter being created in the heart of Bristol city centre, has a new development project manager.
Laura Hamer-West has joined Cubex, the Bristol based commercial and residential property developer behind the regeneration scheme.
Laura will work closely with Cubex’s director Gavin Bridge to complete the regeneration of this 4.7 acre site, which sits on the south bank of the Floating Harbour across the river from Castle Park.
She joins from project management consultant Turner and Townsend where she was a senior project manager working mainly on higher education building projects and on the Ministry of Justice’s Prison Transformation Programme.
The Finzels Reach development is one of the largest mixed use developments in the South West and includes 440 new apartments, two Grade A office buildings, a 168 bedroom Premier Inn which is due to open in 2017, plus a host of cafes, restaurants and a microbrewery.
One of the office buildings, Bridgewater House, is now home to over 900 employees from BDO, Barclays Wealth and EDF and work is already well underway at Aurora, the only speculative office building under construction in the city.
One of Laura’s first tasks at the site will be to oversee the completion of a new iconic S-shaped pedestrian and cycle bridge that will connect Finzels Reach with Castle Park, creating a direct route between Redcliffe, Temple Meads and Cabot Circus. The installation of the bridge superstructure is due to start next month with the bridge opening at Christmas. A new ferry stop is also being created to encourage passengers to alight for the short walk to Cabot Circus.
Laura said: “This is a really important city centre site that has so much history and it’s exciting to be working with Gavin on the next chapter of its development, managing the design and construction teams and supporting him in negotiations with potential business and leisure space occupiers.
“The new bridge is going to be a crucial link that will really help reconnect this part of the city centre. Its spectacular design will be a fantastic new addition to the floating harbour. It’s a great time to be joining Cubex and taking on this role.”
Cubex bought the former Courage Brewery and sugar refinery site out of receivership in July 2013, supported by its long term investment partner Palmer Capital. Since it was formed in 2004, the company has acquired, developed and completed a range of commercial and residential developments across South West England and South Wales. These include the Paragon office building on Victoria Street, home to EY and Thrings, 1 Victoria Street on Bristol Bridge which is occupied by insurer Mapfre Abraxas and the redevelopment of Bristol Cathedral School on Anchor Road.
Gavin Bridge, director at Cubex, said: “We are delighted to welcome Laura to the company at this vital stage of Finzels Reach’s development. This is a critical project both for our company and the city; not only is it creating a whole new quarter for people to enjoy but it is also delivering much needed housing, whether it’s affordable, private rent or aimed at owner occupiers and also high quality office space at a time when demand is far outstripping supply.
