News / Nelson Street
Car park could be turned into student accommodation
A Liverpool company that provides accommodation for 8,000 students in ten university cities across the UK has bought a city centre car park in Bristol.
Although Downing are keeping tight-lipped about their plans for the Nelson Street car park, their sister business Downing Students promises “inspirational, purpose-built student accommodation… creating a world-class experience”.
The current NCP car park has 271 spaces as well as various businesses on its ground floor including Strange Brew music venue, Ding Sing oriental supermarket and a Coral bookmakers, whose long-term futures are unknown under the new owner’s plans.
Redevelopment of the car park has long been part of the city council’s Nelson Street regeneration framework, with nearby Rupert Street car park already earmarked for demolition and replaced by hundreds of flats and student accommodation.
The current NCP car park has 271 spaces as well as various businesses on its ground floor – photo: Martin Booth
Downing, who call themselves a “vertically integrated real estate developer and manager”, say that their purchase of the car park on an 0.64-acre island bound by Fairfax Street, The Pithay and All Saints Street is “part of a long-term strategic acquisition”.
Downing director, Paul Houghton, said: “The site on Nelson Street is a strategic acquisition for Downing to further expand its portfolio in the South West.
“Bristol is a city that boasts impressive retention rates, great green space and a thriving economy. We see it as a key growth area for Downing, as we look to build on our impressive investment portfolio.”
When asked by Bristol24/7 what Downing’s plans for the car park are, a spokesperson said that “future plans for the site are yet to be confirmed”.
The Nelson Street car park is located on an 0.64-acre island bound by Fairfax Street, The Pithay and All Saints Street – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Bristol’s oldest multi-storey: ‘more than a car park’
- Nelson Street cycle lane fencing removed by mistake
- Colourful new entrance to old city walls
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