AXA Investment Managers - Real Assets (AXA IM - Real Assets) has launched 'Assembly Bristol' as the new brand for its 240,000ft² (22,256m²) mixed-use development scheme in Bristol City Centre, which it acquired on behalf of clients in November 2015 as part of its development strategy.
AXA IM - Real Assets has, following an invited design competition, appointed Alford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) architects as lead designer for Assembly Bristol. AHMM stood out to the judging panel on account of the adaptability of its design and approach towards low energy.
Assembly Bristol replicates the Assembly concept created in 2015 with the project currently under development Assembly London. The concept aims to create a community-based work environment as part of a connected urban district, which will appeal to a broad range of businesses and their staff. AXA IM - Real Assets is working with development manager Bell Hammer on both Assembly London and Assembly Bristol.
Consistent with its sustainability strategy of focusing on the performance of the building for the benefit of its clients and wellness of its occupiers, AXA IM - Real Assets will be adopting the Delos WELL Building Standard for Assembly Bristol. A BREEAM Excellent rating for the scheme’s sustainable design is also being pursued.
The process of assembling a full team to work alongside AHMM on the design and submission of a new planning application by mid-2016 is underway, and will include one of the leading British landscape designers, Jinny Blom.
Harry Badham, UK head of development, Real Assets, commented: “Assembly Bristol brings together the experience that AXA IM - Real Assets has gained through developing in London and key European cities to deliver a modern mixed-use working environment to the city of Bristol. Working with AHMM, we aim to create a contemporary destination that will appeal to today’s diverse office occupiers, offering a range of unique spaces and mix of uses, knitted into the fabric of this vibrant and dynamic city. We will bring an approach of flexibility to the design in order to bring this occupier-led scheme to life.”
