News / Bristol Beacon
Bristol Beacon wins double honours at Civic Trust Awards
Bristol Beacon, which reopened its doors in November 2023 following a “once-in-a-lifetime” renovation, has been recognised with two prestigious accolades at the Civic Trust Awards.
Held in early April at the Concorde Conference Centre in Altrincham, the awards celebrated outstanding architectural projects from across the UK. The event brought together council leaders, architects and built environment professionals from around the world.
The Victorian music hall, formerly known as Colston Hall, began the renovation in 2018. Led by Bristol Music Trust and supported by Bristol City Council, the five-year project transformed the building into a world-class concert venue, now attracting leading symphony orchestras and major music acts.
The world-renown operatic baritone Bryn Terfel performing at Bristol Beacon in December 2024 – photo: Milan Perera
Bristol-based Alec French Architects supported main contractor Willmott Dixon on the complex restoration, working from a design drafted by London-based architects Levitt Bernstein.
Award judges hailed the transformation as a “masterful blend of heritage and innovation,” restoring a Grade II-listed landmark into a fully accessible hub for music and education.
The original Victorian walls, in the distinctive Bristol Byzantine style, were preserved and enhanced with modern acoustic brickwork, celebrating the building’s architectural heritage.
The Victorian music hall, formerly known as Colston Hall, began the “once-in-a-lifetime’ renovation back in 2018 – photo: Martin Booth
The reimagined spaces, including the cellars and Lantern Hall, now foster creative development, while sustainable upgrades and the state-of-the-art accessibility ensure the venue remains fully inclusive.
The judges commented: “A stunning example of how a historic building can be transformed to meet modern needs while retaining its cultural and architectural significance.
“By revitalising this treasured landmark, the project has ensured that Bristol remains a leading city for music, education, and artistic innovation.”
Bristol Beacon was tipped to be a world-class concert venue that attracts top symphony orchestras and muisc acts – photo: Ellie Pipe
The winners of the award must demonstrate excellence in design while being sustainable, accessible, and delivering a strong civic benefit.
In addition, Beacon also received the Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design, which recognises projects that exemplify inclusive and accessible environments for all users.
David Yorke, an associate at Alec French Architects, commented: “We are thrilled that the Bristol Beacon has won two more prestigious awards for design excellence, having made an outstanding contribution to the quality of the built environment.
“Our role was to support the contractor, Willmott Dixon, and ensure that the full structural and services coordination of the inside of the building met the challenging brief, specifications, and constraints.”
“Regular liaison with the client team — including Levitt Bernstein and structural engineers Arup — meant that the original design intent was adhered to throughout the construction of this high-quality and complex project,” he added.
Bristol Beacon has been awarded with two prestigious accolades at the Civic Trust Awards – photo: Milan Perera
However, the restoration was not without controversy as the initial cost estimate of £48m eventually rose to £132m, prompting scrutiny over the project’s budget management.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
