Former casino bought up for office space development

A FORMER Genting Casino in Bristol is being turned into loftstyle workspace.

The red-brick Victorian building on Portwall Lane, in Redcliffe, is being redeveloped by investor and developer Create Real Estate, which bought up the property from the casino chain.

The global gambling giant, which formerly operated from the second and third floors of the building, closed its Bristol venue this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In July, Genting announced it was considering axing more than than 1,600 jobs and confirmed it was permanently closing its Margate, Torquay and Bristol sites.

The company wrote to workers outlining its plans as it battled losses caused by shutting venues during the first national lockdown.

Create Real Estate is now planning to convert the former casino floors of the building into contemporary workspaces of around 3,000 sq ft each.

The building is also home to steakhouse and bar Pasture, which is known for its fire-based cooking and is run by Jamie Oliver-trained chef-owner Sam Elliott. It is also next to the Portwall Tavern pub, which has been serving drinkers in the city as far back as 1847.

Chris Williams, asset manager at Create Real Estate, said: “We are very pleased to have acquired this exciting property in such a vibrant part of the city centre.

“Temple Meads, Queen Square and the Harbourside are all on its doorstep and it has views of the harbour to the west and the magnificent St Mary Redcliffe church opposite.

“The building is a real gem and we look forward to delivering its untapped potential. The Bristol office market is very strong, and demand for high quality, interesting spaces has never been greater.”