Bristol Beacon

This brief for this project was to repair, restorate and redevelop the old Colston Hall structure and building spaces to transform it into a world class standard music and learning facility. This includes the integration of modern services, specialist installations and new technologies throughout.

In the Main Hall works have included the addition of new balconies, a larger, more flexible stage and improved new seating layouts, all of which increases capacity and improves accessibility for artists and audiences. The adjacent Victorian Lantern Hall has been restored as a multi-purpose venue including use for music, dance, catered events and conferences with a new restaurant created in the adjoining historic colonnade. The vaulted two storey basement has been extensively renovated and now includes a music centre and educational hub as well as an underground venue space with bar spaces and catering.

We acted for Arts Council England, bringing to the project our experience and knowledge of the construction and operational challenges large complex cultural capital projects can encounter. The poor condition and restrictions imposed by the existing listed buildings structures within a tight city centre site were particular issues faced.