The seven-storey scheme, delivered with Bankfoot APAM and designed by TP Bennett, was launched to the market on 5 November.
Catella APAM has completed One Friary, a Grade A office at the heart of Temple Quay, Bristol’s prime business district, a minute’s walk from Bristol Temple Meads. The building is owned by Britannia Invest A/S, a Danish investor which has held the site since 2002. Catella APAM acts as investment and asset manager, working with Bankfoot APAM as development manager, TP Bennett as architect, Beard Construction as main contractor and Vantage Zero delivering the reception fit out.
One Friary has been comprehensively redeveloped, with the original structure retained and extended to create approximately 60,000 sq ft of flexible office space across seven floors, a double-height reception at ground level and a private roof terrace on the sixth. At the entrance, a permanent installation by Bristol-based artist Frea Buckler, commissioned with Ginkgo Projects, grounds the building in its Bristol setting.
William Grenfell, Senior Principal at Catella APAM, said:
“Britannia Invest’s strategy is focused on offices in the UK’s core regional cities, where the underlying fundamentals and long-term potential are strongest. Bristol is the powerhouse of the South West economy, and Britannia has backed that view since it acquired One Friary in 2002. The decision to reinvest in the building reflects the same long-term conviction in the city, and we are already seeing strong interest from single and multi-floor occupiers.”
Sam Crusz, Project Director at Bankfoot APAM, said:
“One Friary represents an exciting addition to Bristol’s office landscape, demonstrating how sensitive redevelopment can breathe new life into existing buildings while respecting their heritage context. By balancing the challenges of retaining much of the existing structure with a commitment to putting sustainability at the heart of the design, the project delivers a relevant, contemporary workplace that meets the needs of modern occupiers. As a positive addition to both the local Temple Quarter regeneration and the wider city, One Friary contributes to Bristol’s evolving commercial landscape and its future as a vibrant place to work and do business.”
Retaining the existing structure captured 1,730 tCO2e of embodied carbon, a 57% saving that meets the LETI 2030 target. The building is 100% electric, with rooftop photovoltaic panels, VRF heating and cooling that cuts energy use by 24% and carbon emissions by 33% against alternative systems, mechanical heat recovery ventilation, and a connection to Bristol’s District Heat Network. The steel frame and precast GRC façade are designed for a life span of more than 100 years.
David Blair, Principal at TP Bennett, said:
“One Friary is about doing more with what already exists. By retaining the structure and investing in texture and craftsmanship, we’ve transformed a dated office building into a contemporary workplace that feels rooted in Bristol’s industrial heritage while meeting the expectations of a modern workplace. It shows how thoughtful retrofit can reduce environmental impact and cut waste while contributing positively to the character of the city and delivering real commercial value.”
One Friary has achieved EPC A, BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, WELL Gold, NABERS 4.5 stars, WiredScore Gold, ActiveScore Platinum and SmartScore Certified.
Hartnell Taylor Cook and Lambert Smith Hampton are joint letting agents.