Bristol Beacon
Bristol Beacon
For over a decade we acted as heritage consultants to advise on the transformation of Bristol Beacon, a concert hall and Grade II listed building previously known as the Colston Hall. The hall, which is owned by Bristol City Council and managed by Bristol Music Trust, first opened as a concert venue in 1867 and was redeveloped twice following fire damage in 1898 and 1945.
We advised the City Council and their architects Levitt Bernstein and Wilmott Dixon on the comprehensive modernisation of the venue, completed in two phases with a value of over £100m. To assist the design team, our conservation team prepared a detailed Conservation Management Plan identifying the complex phasing and fabric and spaces of heritage significance. Detailed fabric analysis and extensive pre-application support was required to successfully pilot the ambitious project through the planning process and secure listed building consent for the major changes necessary to sustain the Beacon as a viable venue.
Since its reopening in 2023, vastly improved audience and performance facilities, and the creation of a new auditorium, have provided the city and the South West with one of the best music venues and learning spaces in Europe.
Client: Bristol Music Trust
Architect: Levitt Bernstein and Wilmott Dixon
Photos: Courtesy of Bristol Music Trust
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