Soapworks scheme is developer鈥檚 first in region

Developer First Base has submitted plans for a 拢175m mixed-use proposal to Bristol city council for a site on the edge of the city centre.

The Soapworks district will centre around the grade II-listed Victorian former base of soap and candle firm Christopher Thomas & Brothers, which has more recently served as homeware showroom for city department store Gardiner Haskins.

Architect Woods Bagot was appointed last summer after First Base bought the site early last year with a view to creating a scheme featuring modern workspace, new homes, an apartment hotel, caf茅s and restaurants 鈥 in conjunction with the council.

The Soapworks site brings together 15,300sq m of existing buildings on a site between the Temple Quay business district and the Old Market. The Straight Street site is also close to Bristol Temple Meads Station.

First Base said it was looking to 鈥渟ensitively restore鈥 the Soapworks building and complement it with new structures that would 鈥減ositively contribute to its surroundings鈥.

Historic England鈥檚 listing for the Soapworks describes it as having been designed by WB Gingell and completed in 1865.

Soapworks will be First Base鈥檚 first project in the South-West having tended to concentrate on schemes in London and the South-East.

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How the scheme will look when completed