Avon House, Bristol

Avon House is an 18-story commercial complex rising approximately 60 meters above Marlborough Street with a two-story podium containing retail spaces. A church hall sits beneath the main tower as part of the original building design.

Construction started in 1969 as part of a city council project to renew the St James Barton district, which had been destroyed during World War II. The building arose during a time when Bristol was replacing its war-damaged areas with modern structures.

The building shows the International Style of the early 1970s and represents Bristol's shift toward modern commercial structures. This period marked a new approach to rebuilding the city after wartime damage.

The building sits next to The Bearpit roundabout and offers direct access to the city's business district and transportation systems. It is easy to reach on foot and centrally located for exploring other parts of Bristol.

In 1987, television figures conducted a charity abseil down the building's exterior to raise money for a children's hospital. This unusual event is sometimes recalled by older Bristol residents when discussing the building.

Location: City of Bristol

Inception: 1972

Floors above the ground: 18

GPS coordinates: 51.45900,-2.59200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:08