Night at the Paintworks

Bristol’s Paintworks is a rather funky development, not far from the main train station Temple Meads. Hidden away on the banks of the river Avon, it was once known as Phoenix Wharf.  The name “Paintworks” is a fairly recent creation of the current owners/developers who have been gently regenerating the site for at least the last 10 years.  Prior to that it had been a fairly run down Trading Estate and prior to that was a paint and varnish factory built by Bristol Paintmakers, Colthurst & Harding in Victorian times. 


There is quite a contrast between the orginal polluting use of the site as paint factory and its current eco friendly regeneration.  I rather like that.

 
As you can see from the photo, the low rise red brick former industrial buildings have been retained, renovated and converted into a range of uses.  The commercial units, naturally enough, appeal to the creative professions: designers, architects, photographers etc.  There are residential units as well and a rather nice bar called Bocanova.  Further development is currently underway on another part of the site.
 
I spent a couple of years engaged in a project related to the Paintworks, which was not entirely pain free from my perspective, although it was ultimately successful.  All is well that ends well is a good enough motto.  It’s a good site for photo opportunities and I suspect it will feature in future blips from time to time.