Former Regional Headquarters of Lloyd’s Bank in Bristol is listed
Canon’s House, the former regional headquarters of Lloyds Bank in Bristol, has been listed at Grade II by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England, giving it greater protection and recognition.
Canon’s House was built as a regional headquarters for Lloyds Bank in 1988-1991 after the bank took the decision to relocate its retail banking functions to a single site outside of London in 1986. Arup Associates were commissioned as architects.
Canon's House, Bristol
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A beacon in the regeneration of Bristol's harbourside
Canon’s House played an important role in the post-industrial regeneration of Bristol’s docks as a thriving recreation and cultural centre. Designed to have a civic presence and with an integrated amphitheatre, it forms one of Bristol’s key public assembly spaces, and is a monumental and distinctive harbourside landmark.
Listing buildings recognises and protects their special architectural or historic interest for future generations to enjoy. Canon's House is a striking example of post-Modernist architecture so it is fantastic to see this iconic Bristol landmark Grade II listed.
A building with a place in the Post-Modern movement
Canon’s House is an accomplished example of Post-Modernist architecture, a style widespread between about 1975 and 1990. Post-Modern buildings are characterised by their engagement with context and setting, reference to older architectural traditions, and use of symbolism.
People in Bristol and beyond will know Canon’s House, whether they worked there or have enjoyed an event in its amphitheatre. Listing recognises the importance of its public function, and celebrates the way it draws on Bristol’s rich architectural heritage, and its waterfront surroundings, to create a 20th century landmark.
A high quality building inspired by Bristol
Canon’s House draws its inspiration locally, referencing the crescents of Georgian Bristol and Bath, as well as Bristol’s City Hall. It also echoes details from its immediate location. The curved form of the building reflects the harbour wall, and the stair towers are believed to reference the Central Library.
Canon’s House combines bold geometric forms and classical architectural features expected of a financial or civic building. The building has three distinct elements: two office ranges joined by a link block containing the main entrance, services and the staff canteen. It has simple, immaculately planned and finished interiors with high-quality fixtures.
The construction and materials are of the highest quality, from the granite which forms the base of the building, to the immaculately constructed and finished precast white concrete which won an award from the Concrete Society.
A major building by a pioneering architectural practice
Canon’s House was the last in a series of major bespoke offices by architects Arup Associates who set new standards for office design in their approach to high-quality, humane design and functionality, innovative integration of services, and pursuit of energy efficiency - Canon’s House has an innovative system of heating and cooling the building using the harbour water.
Several other examples of Arup Associates’ late 20th century commercial offices have been listed.
