Former captain drops anchor at Brandon Yard, Bristol
After more than 19 years in their home in Langford, Kevin Slade and his wife Jane decided to make the move to a waterside home at Brandon Yard, Bristol. Kevin, a former personnel director of a ship management company in Glasgow previously spent 22 years at sea, serving on a variety of ships as Captain. Now retired, the couple chose to downsize from their five-bedroom old barn conversion in the small village of Langford, to a new two-bedroom apartment in Bristol harbour.
The Brandon Yard site was previously part of the Canon’s Marsh gasworks, which closed in the 1960s and has been derelict since the 1970s. The scheme includes the redevelopment of Grade II listed stone buildings, West Purifier House, renamed Oculus House and Engine House, together with a collection of carefully designed new build apartments.
Having previously spent 16 years living in Clifton, the couple were keen to see what other areas of Bristol might suit their lifestyle, as Mr Slade comments, “We have always kept an eye on the gasworks and thought about moving back into Bristol – it all seemed to come together with the development of Brandon Yard.”
The couple chose Brandon Yard due to its excellent location, modern specification and waterside views. Their new home will be a south facing, two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor of the converted Oculus House. With its own separate entrance and large patio, it offers fantastic views of the water and SS Great Britain. Kevin commented, “Being so close to the city centre, we can easily go to the theatre, shops, or visit our old friends.”
Another draw for the couple was the proximity to Temple Meads train station via a short ferry or bus journey, as Kevin regularly travels by train into London to conduct his role as Chairman of the Merchant Navy Training board. When reflecting on the buying process Kevin stated, “The Acorn team have been helpful and informative throughout the buying process. Plus, they agreed for us to bring our two cats!.” The couple’s new home will be ready in Summer 2019.
