Bristol offices restore historic square

Combining a retained façade and a renovated Georgian terrace, the completed 66 Queen Square office project has enhanced a previously neglected historic part of Bristol.

Main contractor Skanska completed the project this week with KPMG taking occupancy of the majority of the building’s floor space.

The standout steel element of the project is the drum, the entrance/atrium area of the project, which has a reinforced concrete podium with steelwork starting at first floor level to form the five upper four floors.

The drum features a curving façade and the steelwork cantilevers out by 3m around this curve. The drum will provides access to the upper floors of the new and retained parts of the project via a staircase, while its predominantly glazed exterior provides a focal point and brings light into the new building.

Andreas Lindelöf, Managing Director Development, Skanska UK, said: “We started this speculative development in 2013, confident that the timing was right for the Bristol office market, and we have been proven correct.

“We have secured an exceptional occupier – KPMG – for the majority of the scheme and we are delighted that Handelsbanken has taken a 10-year lease. We are also close to letting the remaining space. The high quality of the development and great covenant has helped us to achieve a great result in the Bristol market and builds on the confidence in the UK’s regional office markets for developments like 66 Queen Square.”

Steelwork contractor for the project was locally-based William Haley Engineering.