Huge congratulations to Avison Young client Bristol Old Vic for the string of awards it has won recently for its stunning redevelopment.

It has been named Project of the Year at both the RIBA and RICS South West awards and also received the conservation prize from both sets of judges. Avison Young acted as Project Manager and Contract Administrator on the £13million renovation, designed by architects Haworth Tompkins.

The Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously working theatre in the UK, built in 1766. The front of house project now boasts a new façade, foyer, bar & restaurant all overlooked by the unveiled original theatre wall, exposed for the first time to the public in it 260 year old history. A new studio performance space and banqueting suite was also formed from the shell of the existing Grade 1 listed Coopers Hall.

Thanks to Avison Young’s extensive experience of working with theatres and arts spaces, we were appointed as part of the project team in 2012. Seven years later the new front of house space and studio theatre for the building is open and enjoying a renaissance.

The project has opened up the front of house areas to a wider, more diverse audience and has placed the theatre at the heart of the Bristol’s public life and public space. Mezzanine galleries, winding timber staircases and viewing platforms allow the entire audience to move up, down and around a single, convivial space before and after each show.

Project manager Mark Anderson says, “It’s been a real privilege to work with BOV, Haworth Tompkins, Plann and the whole project team as part of this unique project for a very special theatre. The awards that have been achieved are testament to the high quality and boldness of the design and complete trust between the architect and client, which has helped the theatre achieve its ambitions, giving it a new lease of life and placing it at the heart of its city community.”