The former Bristol General Hospital is a Grade-II listed late-Georgian complex that dates from 1832. It also sits in Bristol’s Redcliffe conservation area and benefits from a magnificent prospect over the rocky gorge of the River Avon to its south.

All of which makes this an unusual choice for a building whose black, metallic structure has led to it being locally derided by some as “Darth Vader.” Such references may not be entirely opportunistic. Dave Prowse, the towering actor who initially played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars franchise, hailed from Bristol.

When Bristol General Hospital closed in 2012 heritage developer City and Country purchased the site and proceeded to convert it into 206 residential flats complete with mixed use amenities at their base. Most of the redevelopment has been undertaken in a sensitive manner with new blocks clad in either brickwork or Bath stone to relate to the existing buildings.

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