Electricity House, Bristol, UK

Architect	Giles Gilbert Scott
Date Built	1935- 1937
Location	Rupert Street & Quay Street
Description
The building was started in the 1930s but before it was finished it was requisitioned for aircraft construction.  The building wasn't completed until 1948.  The Pevsner Guide for Bristol says that the building has a, "prow-like composition taking full advantage of the site at the former quay head.  Top two storeys step back with a loggia emphasizing the curve." The building is Grade II Listed and in 1981, at the time of the listing, it was described as, "Portland ashlar, flat roof not visible. Modernist style. Deep plan offices. 5 storeys and attic; 7-window front, 15-window left-hand and  12-window right-hand returns. A curved symmetrical front, set  back above the ground floor from long side elevations .... A central front doorway has an architrave with roundels to double doors and a cartouche above, with full-width curved plate-glass shop windows each side, and late C20 casements above. " Apparently the building is officially known today as "West Gate" but it started out as home to the South-West Electricty Board and was known then as "Electricity House" .  On October 3, 2013, the Bristol Post  published an article by Gavin Thompson entitled "Fancy having an art deco home address" in which the writer explained that the building had been purchased by the developer Crest Nicholson and is scheduled to be transformed into what the developers describe as, "... an exciting, high specification development within what is arguably one of Bristol's most stunning 1930s art deco buildings .... Our commitment and investment to this project will seek to secure a new lease of life for this prominent building, and we look forward to working closely with Bristol City Council to ensure that the building gets the new lease of life it deserves."  The article's writer adds that, "The builder is keeping the details of the scheme closely guarded for the time being, other than to say it will be mainly residential but with some mixed use elements too – most likely offices."

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