Lakeshore, Bristol: The facts

Fraught with financial difficulties caused by the recession and delays in completion, the 50 million development of the Lakeshore in Bristol has a colourful history. Urban Splash are responsible for the unique conversion of the Grade II Listed building into eco homes with lakeside views, 10 acres of green space and a whole lot more. This article studies the facts.

The facts

The former home of Imperial Tobacco in Crox Bottom, Bristol, was picked by Urban Splash developers as a prime location to develop their new alternative of eco homes offering studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. Landscaped gardens and a lake stocked with fish were unique selling points for the properties. In conjunction with architect Ferguson Mann, Urban Splash aimed to create spacious and stunning apartments with extra high ceilings, full-height glazing, under floor heating and generous balconies. Urban Splash believed this criteria ticked all the boxes of comfortable, generous, loose-fit living. The Languid Lake Surrounded by ample space for allotment patches, BBQ areas, bowling greens, and an outdoor gym, the development was visionary. Located three miles from Bristol City Centre and two miles from Temple Meads train station, Lakeshore sought to regenerate that particular area of South Bristol with affordable homes on the site.

Lakeshore's troubled tides

Originally scheduled for a mid-2009 target opening date, more than 400 people who had deposited tens of thousands of pounds in Lake shore were left frustrated when Urban Splash ran into financial difficulties and floundered on the rocky shores of the recession. Some clients had to wait more than three years after putting down a deposit before they could move into the development, which was completed despite the credit crunch. The final Hard Yards After work was stalled for a considerable period, and progress on the development neglected, the Lakeshore development was finally completed in 2011, and provided valuable learning material for the developers. The derelict former Imperial Tobacco UK Headquarters had been saved - preserved for posterity and cultivated for practicality. An iconic building of the 21st century had been transformed into a living space for citizens of the new century, and Urban Splash had realised another vision painted on the streets of our cities.