RED Construction Group has secured a c. €15.5m contract to deliver 44 extra-care apartments for the St Monica Trust, at The Chocolate Quarter Retirement village in Keynsham near Bristol. The new building will complete the redevelopment of the former Fry’s Chocolate Factory Site, and provide additional independent living at the retirement village, including affordable housing units for local residents.
The works, which will be carried out by RED Construction’s South West team and due to complete in September 2025, include removal of an existing basement, construction of a five-storey block of 44 extra-care apartments, a communal cafe, a basement plant room, cycle store, and extensive associated external works. Bristol-based charity the St Monica Trust opened The Chocolate Quarter six years ago to provide a community where older people can enjoy life in vibrant surroundings perfectly tailored to their needs.
The external facade will preserve the heritage style of the former Fry’s Chocolate Factory, with an SFS and Y-Wall inner skin enveloped by a traditional brick outer facade treatment and glazing, leading out onto a balcony terrace for each flat. The building will also feature flat roofing with extensive photovoltaic panel units, as the project aims toward a four-star Home Quality Mark rating. Technical specifications of the project include CFA piled foundations with RC pile caps and ground beams, a steel frame to roof level, beam and block concrete flooring systems to the ground floor, and composite floor slabs from the ground to the fourth level.
St Monica Trust’s Chief Executive, David Williams, commented: “The building of Block D not only marks the completion of the Trust’s redevelopment of the former Fry’s Chocolate Factory, but it also fulfils our original commitment to provide affordable housing for the local community. We are thrilled to have appointed RED Construction South West to deliver the final phase of the project, not only because of the team’s exceptional technical capabilities, but because they share that same spirit of community, and their expertise in the local area is unparalleled.”
RED Construction South West Managing Director, Derek Quinn, commented: "We are delighted to be working with St Monica Trust to deliver the last phase of this prestigious development that is sewn into the fabric of Bristol’s history. Not only that, but providing much needed high-quality homes and care services to residents that require additional support. We are looking forward to delivering this community net zero carbon scheme and providing a lasting legacy for Keynsham, Bristol.”
