University of Bristol Dental School
- Client: University of Bristol
- Services Provided:
- Agency & Commercial Development • Education • Healthcare
The Instruction
In November 2021, Alder King’s office agency team helped secure new ‘future-fit’ teaching and research facilities for the University of Bristol’s Dental School.
The Dental School had outgrown its current premises at Lower Maudlin Street and was keen to modernise and upgrade its accommodation.
Alder King, which has provided multi-disciplinary property services to the University for many years, was appointed in late 2020 to help find a new home for the Dental School.
Our Approach
This was a challenging search due to the limited building options available in Bristol at the time and the University’s specific search criteria.
Given the nature of the Dental School which wouldn’t sit comfortably in a multi-let office building, the University required premises that were self-contained and in a central location.
It was also important that the new School was prominent and within easy reach of public transport to allow easy access to treatment by the local community.
Alder King proactively contacted occupiers and owners of potentially suitable buildings which weren’t openly on the market. It was this process which first identified 1 Trinity Quay.
After many months of searching, detailed analysis, site visits and engagement with staff and student representatives, health trusts and other bodies, the University agreed terms with NatWest, the previous occupier, and M&G, the landlord of 1 Trinity Quay.
Results
The transaction brought a challenging 15-month search to a successful conclusion, securing the long-term future of the University’s Dental School.
A new £27 million purpose-built teaching facility opened in September 2023 offering 7,300 sq m of space and 119 dental chairs with the latest equipment across numerous clinics. The new School will also offer prosthetics and dental production labs, dental clinics, teaching spaces, informal study spaces, staff offices and social areas.
These enhanced facilities will enable the Dental School to increase the free dental care and oral health services it offers to the local community and help alleviate the backlogs at dental practices caused by the pandemic.
At 74,000 sq ft, the transaction was Bristol’s largest office letting of 2022 and gave a much-needed post-pandemic fillip to the city’s office market.
