Plans for the restoration of Hangar 16U at the huge new Brabazon neighbourhood have been unveiled by developer YTL. The building will become home to a new public library, café, gym and social centre, as part of the broader regeneration of the wider area.
First opened in 1915 as an Aircraft Acceptance Facility for the Royal Flying Corps, Hanger 16U sits on the former Filton Airfield that is currently becoming Brabazon - the large housing development that will neighbour the new YTL Bristol Arena being built inside other hangars on site. Hangar 16U is located between what will become Brabazon Park, a new 15-acre public open space granted planning consent in October, and a section of the new housing development, known as The Hangar District.
Newly released images show that the new building will retain many of its original features, including prefabricated Belfast trusses of the roof and red brickwork. The ground floor will feature a sizeable open-plan cafe and a new library with quiet pods for studying and arched nooks for meetings.
