What is there to say about Turbo Island that hasn’t been said before? To some, it’s a joke, to others a nightmare, but for many, it’s a big part of what makes Bristol what it is – chaotic, carefree and a little outside the norm. This odd plot, on the corner of Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street, has become an unlikely party hotspot, and now it’s up for sale.
What is Turbo Island?
Turbo Island belongs to the company that owns the advertising board behind it. This makes it technically private property. Not wanting to obstruct the view of the billboard, it’s largely been left empty for many years. What that has meant is, for better or for worse, no one has been able to stop the endless mini-raves, campfires and substance abuse at Turbo Island every weekend.
Things have been changing recently, however. Two years ago, Bristol City Council served Wildstone Investments with a community protection notice – meaning they had to pave or tarmac the area and commit to keeping Turbo Island clean. This didn’t stop the partying though, and it seems the owners have thrown the towel in.
It’s now going up for online auction in October, starting at £50,000. Described as a “development site”, this end-of-terrace plot boasts a triangular parcel of land measuring 0.012 hectare/ 0.03 acre, which doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room. Hollis Morgan says, however, there’s “scope for a mixed use scheme with suggested Class E on the ground floor and 3 – 4 additional floors of residential accommodation.”
What happens next?
The live online auction for Turbo Island (aka Development Site @ 72 Stokes Croft, Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY) is on Wednesday, October 16 at 17:30. To bid, you’ll need to have registered by Monday, October 14 at 16:00. The price will only START at £50,000, so you might need a bit more than that if you’re planning to purchase Bristol’s most infamous landmark.
It’s bound to be hot property too as, “The site is located in the heart of Stokes Croft which offers excellent transport links to the City Centre, Cabot Circus, Gloucester Road along with easy access to major motorways and rail links via Montpelier train station.” It’s a developer’s dream – how many student flats can someone squeeze on Turbo Island?
There is already some pushback on the sale. PRSC – who previously described Turbo Island as “a totemic symbol of Stokes Croft” – is currently plotting how to move it into the community’s hands rather than developers’ (something it has tried and failed to do in the past). Meanwhile, anarchist group Seditionist Distribution has also launched a fundraiser.
To learn more about this Turbo Island sale head here.