Architects shortlisted for Bristol Arena design contract

Bristol Arena, seen here as an artist's impression, will be located in the heart of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone

Five design teams have been shortlisted for a contract to design a £91m entertainment arena in Bristol.

Bristol Arena, a 12,000-seat venue, will be located at the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.

The companies, from the UK and Europe, include the designers of London's Olympic Stadium and the Bilbao Arena in Spain.

A preferred operator for the arena has also been selected and is likely to be announced next month.

The five shortlisted are:

• Grimshaw Architects LLP - architects of the Eden Project

• Idom Ingeniería y Consultoría - designers of the Bilbao Arena

• Populous - architects of the London Olympic Stadium

• White Arkitekter - designers of the Kiruna city plan in Sweden

• Wilkinson Eyre - architects of the Liverpool Arena

The selection followed a Royal Institute of British Architects international design competition launched in August which generated entries from more than 30 architects around the world.

Mayor George Ferguson said: "We have been through a rigorous selection process to settle on a competition short list of five extremely talented design teams with a wealth of experience between them.

"I am confident that the new arena will provide one of the very best experiences for audiences and major acts and that it will make a huge contribution to the regeneration of the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone."

The teams will now work on their design proposals to be submitted in January 2015.

A public exhibition of all five design proposals will then take place, prior to a selection of the winner in March.