Approval for YTL Grade A Bristol office

YTL Developments has received planning approval for the first major commercial building at Brabazon, its flagship mixed-use development in North Bristol. The eight-storey Grade A office building will include a staffed ticket office for the new railway station currently under construction, further cementing Brabazon’s position as a key emerging business destination in the South West.

Located adjacent to a new landscaped civic square, the building will serve as a prominent gateway to the development for rail passengers arriving from central Bristol. The new Brabazon station, construction of which began in spring this year, is due for completion in 2026 and will connect to Bristol Temple Meads in under 15 minutes.

The office building has been designed by AHR Architects and will deliver 123,330 square feet of high-specification commercial space. It is being developed to meet the highest contemporary standards for sustainability and connectivity, targeting an EPC A rating, BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS 5-star, and WiredScore Platinum certifications.

YTL anticipates that up to 800 people will work in the building once it is fully occupied. Typical floorplates will offer 13,190 square feet of net usable space, with flexible layouts available from as little as 5,000 square feet. The building is aimed at occupiers seeking a national or regional headquarters location and forms part of a wider commercial cluster in North Bristol that already employs approximately 48,000 people across high-value manufacturing, life sciences, and technology sectors.

Amenities have been designed to support the expectations of a modern urban workforce. The building will include a statement entrance and lobby, showers and changing facilities for active commuters, and a retail dining area at ground level that opens onto the civic square.

Landscaping, led by Grant Associates, will include mature trees, native plantings, and shaded seating areas designed to create an inclusive and welcoming environment.In addition to the new station ticket office—making Brabazon one of only three staffed railway stations in the region—the location will offer easy access to upcoming local services including a new Waitrose, a gym at The Hangar, and the future Bristol Arena, all within walking distance.

Construction is expected to begin before the end of 2025, with YTL Construction UK appointed as principal contractor. Cushman & Wakefield are acting as leasing agents and are currently accepting enquiries.

Seb Loyn, Planning and Development Director at YTL Developments, said the planning approval adds further momentum to Brabazon’s transformation. He described the area as already established as a leading new residential address and now poised to become a major business destination, offering the space and connectivity needed for firms to grow.

YTL’s approved masterplan for Brabazon includes up to 6,500 homes, 2,000 student beds, 86 acres of parks and public spaces, and 3.7 million square feet of commercial space to support up to 30,000 jobs. More than £100 million is being invested in sustainable transport infrastructure across the development.