Crescent, Bristol: Cycle Friendly Building

By Martin Hofschroer
View of Crescent, a modern office building in central Bristol, with bold signage, large windows, and a tree-lined street in the foreground. Two people walk past the entrance on a bright day.
Commercial Estates Group’s Crescent is the first building in Bristol to achieve Gold status under Cycling UK’s Cycle Friendly Building scheme, setting a new benchmark for sustainable commuting and workplace wellbeing

Project overview

Located in the heart of Bristol and close to Temple Quay station and cycling hubs, Crescent offers premium office accommodation that blends workplace functionality with wellness-focused design. With 164 secure bike spaces, dedicated lockers, showers, an onsite gym and a curated wellbeing programme, it’s easy to see why Crescent is leading the way in sustainable commuting.

Crescent has been designed not just as a workspace but as a thriving community hub – with 19,400 sq ft of amenity space, a private garden, landscaped terraces and a wellness studio all designed to encourage active, healthy and connected lifestyles.

It was great to work with Cycling UK and for Crescent to be assessed as the first Gold standard Cycle Friendly Building in Bristol. It is testament to the design of the building to be awarded this accreditation from Cycling UK who have championed the cause of cycling for more than 140 years

Paul Richardson, Investment Manager, Commercial Estates Group

Objectives

  • Champion active travel: create a high-spec environment that encourages cycling to work through practical, high-quality infrastructure.
  • Enhance wellbeing: promote a balanced lifestyle by blending active commuting with holistic wellness support.
  • Foster community: design spaces and programmes that help tenants connect, collaborate and thrive.

Cycle-friendly design

Crescent delivers one of the most comprehensive end-of-journey facilities in Bristol, including:

  • Secure cycle parking: 164 covered, secure spaces to support daily commuting by bike.
  • Lockers and facilities: 182 internal lockers, 48 external cycle lockers, plus extensive shower and changing amenities.
  • Wellness studio: 808 sq ft gym and fitness space for yoga, PT sessions, and group classes – all bookable via the CEG Life app.
  • Outdoor green space: landscaped terraces and a 7,880 sq ft communal garden offering tranquil views and active breakout zones.
  • Onsite café: a health-focused café overlooking the garden terrace – perfect for post-ride refreshments or informal meetings.

Cycling UK’s accreditation

Achieving Gold accreditation under Cycling UK’s Cycle Friendly Building scheme, Crescent sets a high bar for what a modern, sustainable workplace can offer. The scheme recognises not just infrastructure, but also the cultural shift needed to support active travel:

  • Culture of cycling: tenants benefit from regular fitness classes and wellness activities that promote movement and connection.
  • Sustainability first: high-quality bike parking reduces reliance on cars, supporting Bristol’s wider net-zero ambitions.
  • Ongoing support: CEG’s app-based events and management ensure active travel remains a core part of life at Crescent.

Outcomes

  • First Gold-standard office in Bristol under Cycling UK’s scheme.
  • Tenant satisfaction boosted through market-leading amenities and active travel options.
  • Active commuting embedded into the workplace culture – reducing emissions and supporting healthier lifestyles.

Join the movement

Creating a cycle-friendly workplace isn’t just good for the planet – it’s good for business. From reduced congestion and happier staff to tax incentives and ESG leadership, the benefits of cycling are clear.

Cycle Friendly Building

Further reading