The project for two buildings to replace a Premier Inn would be Bristol’s tallest structure if built

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The Bristol Premier Inn that Whitbread may replace with two accommodation buildings 

Hospitality firm Whitbread has announced it plans to replace a Premier Inn hotel in Bristol with two buildings for co-living housing and student accommodation. 

The hotel operator has said a 28-storey student accommodation with 445 students beds and 18-storey co-living building with 136 rooms will be built on the roundabout, known locally as the ‘bear pit’, if the proposals are given planning permission. 

If approved and the development would be Bristol’s tallest building, two storeys higher than LinkCity’s 26-storey Castle Park View tower.

Whitbread’s plans also include a new ground floor café and would mean the Grade 1 listed St James’ Priory would no longer be hidden by the hotel. 

Whitbread wants to transform the site with development partner Olympian Homes, which has appointed multi-award winning architect Hodder & Partners to draw up detailed proposals. 

The scheme on the prominent 0.3 hectare site in Bristol would see the current 20-storey hotel, originally built as an office in 1972 by Avon County Council, knocked down. 

Richard Pearson, development manager for Whitbread, said: “The Premier Inn at Haymarket is at the end of its life. Though the location is great the current building does not provide the high brand standards our customers expect of us, and it needs substantial investment. 

“Redeveloping the site presents an opportunity to realise the true potential of the gateway location for the city.”

Whitbread will reveal draft designs in the coming weeks, which will form part of a consultation with the community. 

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees, who has pushed for more high-rise development in the city, welcomed the announcement, tweeting that he wanted to see the site ”transformed into hundreds of new homes”.

Whitbread and developer Dominvs Group in December submitted a planning application to replace a Premier Inn with an office and 1,014 student rooms in Manchester.

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