Burwalls House, marked by the blue line
One of Bristol’s landmark buildings, built next to the Clifton Suspension Bridge by the owner of former newspaper the Bristol Times, is up for sale.
Burwalls House was built by Joseph Leech in 1872 and was then sold to the tobacco manufacturers, the Wills family. In 1942 it was bought by Bristol University which has been using it as a conference centre.
The property, which stands on the site of a former Iron Age fort, comprises the main house together with an annexe and lodge set in landscaped grounds covering nearly five acres.
The Grade-II listed building retains its original ‘Jacobethan’ exterior and some of the original interior.
North Somerset Council has worked with property consultants in the city to ensure any development of the site is “sensitive to its historic status”.
The main house could be turned into apartments, while the grounds could also end up being developed.
Kevin Hunt, from Jones Lang LaSalle’s planning team in Bristol, said: “We have liaised carefully with North Somerset Council and the Leigh Woods Society to develop guidelines to ensure that any development will be sensitive to the surrounding landscape whilst recognising that getting the buildings occupied will help protect its long-term future.
“We are confident that the site can achieve the right balance between historical preservation and sympathetic development.”
No price has been set on the property yet, but it will go on sale later this month.
