Plans for 22-storey tower block for 530 students near Temple Meads

Plans have been unveiled for a 22-storey, 530-bed student high-rise in Temple Quarter. The proposed development, part of the massive regeneration of St Philip’s near Bristol city centre, would include 4,500 square meters of affordable workspace and public open space improvements such as a new wide avenue and a ‘greenway’.

An existing building on the site in Albert Road, currently used by a waste management firm which is relocating from the area, would be demolished. Bristol-based developers Cubex have submitted plans to the city council.

The students would be based at the University of Bristol’s Temple Quarter enterprise campus, which is under construction. On its website, Cubex said: “Our proposals are for 530 high-quality student beds, with the proposed building varying in height with the tallest element at 22 storeys and including a roof terrace on the 20th floor.

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“The development will include a mix of studios and bunk beds. There will also be commercial spaces on the ground floor and first floor.

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“This includes accessible workspaces for incubators to support local businesses. Over 50% of the site will be high quality public spaces.

“The building will be set back from the River Avon and our plans support Bristol’s flood defense strategy. This strategy aims to protect homes and businesses by creating a buffer between the river and development areas.

“Our plans include a flood defense to support this. It will also act as a greenway and provide an active travel route.

“This design will set a precedent for future developments.” The plans are car-free and include secure bike parking.

Cubex said: “Despite being a technically challenging site, our proposal is ‘shovel ready’. It is subject to planning permission and will kick-start the regeneration of St Philip’s Marsh.”

More information about the proposals is available here. Alternatively, the full plans are on the council’s planning portal here.