The McArthur’s Yard scheme in central Bristol was named ‘Development of the Year’ at this year’s SW Property Awards, and we couldn’t be more proud!
Our team was pleased to join contractor Hill Group, operator Guinness Partnership and Bristol City Council to collect the coveted award for this scheme, which impressed the judges with its impact on the local community and the opportunity for business.
The development delivers 142 high-quality apartments arranged over three elegantly designed buildings in central Bristol, with vibrant flexible commercial use space on the ground floor. With construction now complete, the project is “breathing new life into a derelict brownfield site which had been neglected for over 20 years”.
Surrounded by a range of historic buildings and structures, the plot sits in a conservation area of distinctive character. It offered the opportunity to bring an underutilised site in central Bristol back into use and to complete the regeneration of Bristol’s harbourside. But despite a number of redevelopment attempts over the years by others, none of those proposed schemes was viable, making this a particularly challenging site.
However, in 2018, Nash Partnership secured planning permission for the right mix of uses at the right size and scale to enable development to go ahead.
Given the failure of previous redevelopment attempts, the expectations of the local community were high, and balancing the views of different stakeholders was important. Our proposals considered the potential impact on the setting of the SS Great Britain (one of Bristol’s main tourist attractions), listed buildings and views, with our contemporary designs reflecting a sensitivity to the location.
Construction completed in 2024 and residents are now moving in. Support from Bristol City Council was key in enabling the delivery of this high-quality scheme in a prominent city centre location, with such a high proportion (just over 50%) of affordable housing.
Commenting on the win, Nash Partnership’s Design Director John Everett, who developed the planning-stage designs, said: “To see this project now complete is wonderful, and to have it named ‘Development of the Year’ is the icing on the cake! McArthur’s Yard brings many social, economic and environmental benefits to the area and we’re proud to have played a part in the long-term legacy it leaves for the local community. We’re over the moon it’s been recognized for this at these prestigious regional awards.”
