Bristol Arena winning design announced!

Winning designs of the Bristol Arena were announced this week! The £90 million project located next to Bristol Temple Meads railway station, in the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, is estimated to open by 2017.

Populous, the design team to win the competition, has also designed other major venues worldwide, such as the O2 arenas in London, Berlin and Dublin and was selected among five other firms. The proposed innovative desing includes a horseshoe-shaped 12,000-seat arena, especially constructed to provide flexibility in the organization and hosting of a wide variety of acts and events. It will allow the organization of small capacity theatre-style events, as well as easily convert to larger configurations to host sports events, conventions and exhibitions. 

Bristol Mayor, Bristol City Council and the Royal Institute of British Architects participated in the Judging panel and shortlisted five proposals which were then put into public consideration, receiving more than 50,000 online views and 550 comments. Design evaluation was performed taking into account the public's opinion. 

Bristol Arena project is co-funded by the city council as well as the Economic Development Fund of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership. Works on the site are expected to begin in early 2016.

You may view the five shortlisted designs here!