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Bristol's biggest businesses, charities, politicians and local residents all descended upon the new town of Brabazon on Friday 21 November take a look around the Spitfire Hangar, a state-of-the-art community and social hub set to open in early 2026.
Dating back to 1915 and once housing a World War Two Spitfire squadron jet, the hangar has been transformed by YTL Construction UK into a community space that will offer food and drink from local independent bakery Mokoko, a new fitness centre, as well as event and meeting spaces for up to 300 people available for hire.
The sneak peek event, hosted by YTL which owns the hangar and Brabazon, included visits from the Minster for Investment Lord Stockwood, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and MP for Bristol North West Darren Jones, West of England Metro Mayor Helen Godwin and MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke Claire Hazelgrove.
Artwork commissioned by students from the University of the West of England was unveiled by Claire Hazelgrove and will be permanently displayed in the Spitfire Hangar when it opens to the public early next year.
Naomi Easy, events and venue manager at the Spitfire Hangar, said: "We're so pleased to have given this historic hangar a new lease of life and have kept its rich aviation heritage and character at the core of its design, with many of the original Grade II listed features remaining in place.
"The Spitfire Hangar will further connect residents of Brabazon and the wider community with the site's previous life as an important airfield. We can’t wait to see everyone enjoying what it has to offer next year."
In September, in a milestone moment of the Spitfire Hangar’s renewal, YTL Construction UK teams restored and reinstated three original one-tonne wooden doors to the side of the structure.
Looking further into the future, the Spitfire Hangar will overlook the 15-acre Brabazon Park, featuring a 2.5-acre lake with a floating boardwalk, heritage trail and children's playground, along with the 20,000-capacity YTL Arena and entertainment complex further into the distance.
YTL Construction UK is overseeing construction of Brabazon being delivered by sister firm YTL Developments, which will see the 400-acre site become one of the most exciting and sustainable destinations in the South West, having recently been listed as one of the 12 recommended new towns across the country by a government taskforce.
Up to 6,500 homes, new schools, community facilities, business spaces, parks and public squares will be created at Brabazon, supporting up to 30,000 jobs, with the supersonic new arena complex as the centrepiece.
A £100 million investment in local infrastructure, to include a new railway station connecting Brabazon to Bristol Temple Meads in less than 15 minutes, is set to open in Autumn 2026, along with a dedicated Metrobus service, walking routes and cycle paths.
