The Hill Group has purchased the former West Car Park site at Bristol Zoo from the Bristol Zoological Society for an undisclosed price.
The house builder intends to build 62 luxury homes on the brownfield site, which has been dormant since Bristol Zoo Gardens closed in September last year.
In December 2022, planning permission was granted for the development which comprises seven mews houses and 55 one- and two-bed apartments, with 20% of the new homes affordable.
Andy Hill, group chief executive of The Hill Group, said: “This is an important site for the city of Bristol, both in terms of redeveloping a former part of the historic zoo and providing high-quality accommodation in such an architecturally rich part of the city. We are pleased to have completed our acquisition of the site, and now look ahead to delivering a development that reflects the heritage of Clifton while also addressing the housing needs of the local area.”
Justin Morris, chief executive at Bristol Zoological Society, added: “It is great to see the progress being made on the redevelopment of this historically important location, offering new, sustainable and affordable housing for Bristol.”
The proceeds from the sale will be used by the zoological society to fund the first phase of construction of the Wild Place Project – to be called Bristol Zoo Project. Construction of the project is expected to commence next year.
