Tollgate House, once a prominent feature in the Bristol skyline, has always held a special place in my heart. Working there from 1992 to 2001, I was fortunate to witness both the vibrancy and the later decline of this iconic building. Recently, stumbling upon some photos of Tollgate House in its abandoned state, a flood of nostalgia mixed with a pang of melancholy washed over me.
A Daily Ascent to the Eighth Floor
My journey with Tollgate House began in the early 90s when I started working on the eighth floor. Those elevator rides were a daily ritual—ascending past floors bustling with activity, each level with its own story, until I reached our office which felt like a little world of its own. The view from the windows was nothing short of spectacular, offering a panoramic vista of Bristol that never failed to impress visitors.
The building, with its Brutalist architecture, might not have been the prettiest on the block, but it had character. It was a place where you could feel the pulse of the city—where various businesses thrived, and countless professionals crossed paths.
The Heartbeat of Our Office Life
Tollgate House was more than just a workplace; it was where camaraderie was built. Our office was filled with a mix of laughter, the clacking of typewriters (later replaced by the quieter hum of computers), and the ringing of phones that seemed almost incessant. Coffee breaks and lunch hours were opportunities to exchange stories with colleagues or to simply enjoy the view of the bustling city below.
As the years passed, changes in technology and shifts in business dynamics transformed our workflow and interactions. Yet, the essence of our collective endeavor remained the same—dedicated individuals coming together to achieve common goals.
Witnessing Changes and Decline
By the late 90s, however, it was clear that Tollgate House was struggling to keep up with the newer, more modern facilities that were popping up around Bristol. The decline was gradual but undeniable. Businesses moved out, and fewer visitors came through its doors. The vibrancy that once defined it began to fade, leaving behind a quieter, emptier shell of its former self.
Finding Photos of an Abandoned Icon
Discovering photos of Tollgate House in its abandoned state brought a mix of emotions. The images of empty, graffiti-scarred hallways and dust-covered floors where we once walked and worked were poignant. It was hard to reconcile these somber visuals with my vivid memories of a bustling workplace.
These photographs serve as powerful reminders of the impermanence of man-made structures and the enduring nature of the memories we attach to them. They prompted me to reach out to former colleagues, sharing these visuals, reigniting old connections, and collectively reminiscing about our time there.
A Legacy Remembered
Today, Tollgate House lives on in our shared memories and the stories we tell. It stands as a testament to the era it was built in, the people who passed through its doors, and the inevitable changes that come with time. For those of us who spent a significant part of our careers there, it remains a symbol of our professional beginnings and the relationships we forged.
As I look back at those photos, I am grateful for the memories and the people I met along the way. Tollgate House may no longer be the bustling hub it once was, but it continues to hold a special place in the history of Bristol and in the hearts of those who knew it well.