McArthurs Yard, Gas Ferry Road - Bristol

McArthurs Yard, a previously neglected plot in Bristol's historic docks, a short walk away from the SS Great Britain, had sat empty for two decades. Despite numerous failed attempts at redevelopment, the challenging site remained untouched.

The four-storey malthouse, built in 1896, stands out among the surrounding historic buildings. The potential for revitalising this underutilised space in central Bristol was clear. The Guinness Partnership, a Housing Association, was selected as the preferred bidder in 2016, pending planning permission. Their goal was to create a housing-led development that complements the harbourside location.

The vision included a mix of high-quality homes and commercial spaces, breathing new life into this unique corner of Bristol. With the opportunity to complete the regeneration of Bristol's harbourside, the project aimed to transform McArthurs Yard into a vibrant and productive part of the city.

For the exterior of the building, Architects BPTW, working with the Hills Partnerships, chose Valcan's VitraDual A1 Rated Aluminium in a striking Metallic Gold. Belfry Façade Systems fabricated these into cassettes and perforated panels, which were then expertly installed by Cladanco Ltd using the VitraFix Aluminium Subframe System.

Belfry Façade Systems commented: “This had been a very testing project, but we are proud of how the team has smashed it! A big thanks to Cladanco for the opportunity of working with them on it, what a great company. It was a very difficult project made a lot easier with the team working together and communicating precise information”

The result is truly impressive, seamlessly blending with the surrounding conversions while also making a bold statement with its dazzling gold exterior. It was a pleasure to be a part of such a fantastic renovation project, and congratulations to all the teams involved in bringing this vision to life.